Cedar Rapids reports Old MacDonald’s Farm visitor diagnosed with cryptosporidium

CEDAR RAPIDS — The Cedar Rapids Parks and Recreation Department said in a Friday news release it had been notified a visitor to Old MacDonald’s Farm in Bever Park was diagnosed with cryptosporidium, which can cause a gastrointestinal and respiratory illness.

The farm opened on May 10. Just two days later, on May 12, two calves were placed in isolation with potential illness, according to the news release. The illness was not transmitted to other animals at the farm.

One calf was taken to the vet the next day and died at the clinic over the weekend. The cause of death was not verified at the time and the farm closed temporarily as a precaution to deep clean the pens.

The second calf, though well, will be returned to the farm from which it was donated for the rest of the season “in an overabundance of caution.”

Cryptosporidium can occur on farms, especially in cattle, and according to the news release, it “is likely that the calves arrived to Old MacDonald’s Farm previously exposed to the illness.”

The illness, also referred to as Crypto, is a diarrheal disease that can cause watery diarrhea, stomach cramps, dehydration, nausea, vomiting and fever. It is spread through feces and can be passed when individuals touch their mouth with contaminated hands.

Any potential risk is limited to those who visited Old MacDonald’s Farm on May 10 or May 11 only, and who touched feces in the calf pen and then touched their mouth.

People exhibiting the symptoms of Crypto are advised to seek assistance from their physician. Old MacDonald’s Farm remains open. Pens have been deep cleaned and disinfected twice since the calves were isolated.

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