Number of crypto cases linked to Northland water parks continues to rise

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The number of confirmed and suspected cases of a waterborne disease outbreak linked to Duluth’s Edgewater Resort and Water Park continues to rise.

As of Wednesday, 16 confirmed cases of cryptosporidiosis — typically shortened as crypto — had been reported among people who spent time at the water park in March, said Trisha Robinson, epidemiologist for the Minnesota Department of Health. An additional 62 suspected cases had been reported.

At least one person has been hospitalized because of the illness, Robinson said. Victims are from Minnesota, Wisconsin and Canada and include children and adults.

Crypto is caused by a parasite that is spread by human feces in water. The primary symptom is watery diarrhea. Other symptoms may include abdominal cramps, nausea, dehydration and a low-grade fever. Symptoms generally persist for two weeks.

It’s likely the numbers will continue to change as some suspected cases are confirmed and other new cases are reported, Robinson said.

After learning of the outbreak, the Edgewater closed its water park on March 26 and treated the water with super-chlorination, which destroys the parasite. It was reopened on March 27.

A crypto outbreak at almost the same time linked to the Lodge at Brainerd Lakes has resulted in one confirmed case and 38 suspected — up from 14 — so far, Robinson said. The Lodge went through the same super-chlorination process before reopening its water facilities.

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