{"id":10230,"date":"2025-03-01T14:03:12","date_gmt":"2025-03-01T19:03:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dhss.delaware.gov\/dph\/dhan263\/"},"modified":"2025-03-02T00:50:31","modified_gmt":"2025-03-02T05:50:31","slug":"dhan263","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/dhss.delaware.gov\/dph\/php\/alerts\/dhan263\/","title":{"rendered":"php\/alerts\/dhan263 ~  Division of Public Health &#8212; Health Alert  &#8211; Delaware Health and Social Services &#8211; State of Delaware"},"content":{"rendered":"<div data-swiftype-index=\"true\">\n\n\n\n  <br>\n\n\n\n  <div class=\"container\" id=\"main_header\"> \n\n    <!-- BEGIN readspeaker div -->\n\n    <div class=\"rs_skip rsbtn rs_preserve\" id=\"readspeaker_button1\">\n\n      <a accesskey=\"L\" class=\"rsbtn_play\" href=\"https:\/\/app-na.readspeaker.com\/cgi-bin\/rsent?customerid=7262&#038;lang=en_us&#038;readid=main_content&#038;url=https:\/\/dhss.delaware.gov\/dph\/php\/alerts\/dhan263.html\" title=\"Listen to this page using ReadSpeaker\">\n\n        <span class=\"rsbtn_left rsimg rspart\"><span class=\"rsbtn_text\"><span>Listen<\/span><\/span><\/span>\n\n        <span class=\"rsbtn_right rsimg rsplay rspart\"><\/span>\n\n      <\/a>\n\n    <\/div>\n\n    <!-- END readspeaker div -->\n\n\n\n    \n\n    <header class=\"pull-left\">\n\n      <h1>Delaware Health Alert Network #<!--[type=EDIT name=\"DHAN Number\"]-->263 <!--[END]--> <\/h1>\n\n      <h2> <!--[type=EDIT name=\"DHAN Date\"]-->January 18, 2012 3:50pm <!--[END]--> <\/h2>\n\n    <\/header>\n\n  <\/div><br>\n\n \n\n  <div class=\"container\">\n\n    <div class=\"row\">\n\n      <div class=\"col-md-3\" id=\"leftCol\">\n\n        <div class=\"panel-group\" id=\"accordion\">\n\n          <div class=\"panel sectionmenu_panel\">\n\n            <div class=\"panel-heading\">\n\n              <p class=\"panel-title\"><a class=\"agency_nav\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapseOne\"><strong><i class=\"fa fa-align-justify fa-fw\"><\/i> Public Health Menu<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n            <\/div>\n\n\n\n            <div class=\"panel-collapse collapse in\" id=\"collapseOne\">\n\n              <div class=\"panel-body\" id=\"clf_nav\">\n\n                  <ul class=\"nav nav-stacked nav-pills-clf\" id=\"agency_sidebar\">\n    <li><a href=\"\/dph\/\"><h2>Home <i class=\"fa fa-home fa-fw\"><\/i><\/h2><\/a><\/li>\n    <li class=\"toplevel\"><a data-parent=\"#agency_sidebar\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#HomeMenu\"><h2>About <i class=\"fa fa-caret-right fa-fw\"><\/i><\/h2><\/a>\n      <ul class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"HomeMenu\">\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/about.html\">About DPH<\/a><\/li>\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/sections.html\">Sections &#038; Programs<\/a><\/li>\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/ofclocations.html\">Office Locations<\/a><\/li>\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/contact.html\">Contact Info<\/a><\/li>\n      \n        <li><a href=\"\/calendars.html\" target=\"_blank\">Calendar<\/a><\/li>\n      <\/ul>\n    <\/li>\n    <li class=\"toplevel\"><a data-parent=\"#sidebar\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#ServicesMenu\"><h2>Services <i class=\"fa fa-caret-right fa-fw\"><\/i><\/h2><\/a>\n      <ul class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"ServicesMenu\">\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/servicesaz.html\">A-Z Services<\/a><\/li>\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/hsp\/environmental.html\">Air &#038; Water Quality<\/a><\/li>\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/ss\/vitalstats.html\">Birth, Death, &#038; Marriage Records<\/a><\/li>\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/clinics.html\">Clinics<\/a><\/li>\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/healthdatastats.html\">Health Data &#038; Statistics<\/a><\/li>\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/php\/emsps.html\">Emergency Preparedness<\/a><\/li>\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/healthandwellness.html\">Health &#038; Wellness<\/a><\/li>\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/hsp\/healthyhomes.html\">Healthy Homes<\/a><\/li>\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/hsp\/healthywp.html\">Healthy Workplaces<\/a><\/li>\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/lab\/labs.html\">Laboratory<\/a><\/li>\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/hsp\/feir.html\">Restaurant Inspections<\/a><\/li>\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/screen.html\">Screening and Testing<\/a><\/li>\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/chca\/dphwichominf01.html\">WIC<\/a><\/li>\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/servicesadd.html\">Additional Services<\/a><\/li><li>\n      <\/li><\/ul>\n    <\/li>\n    <li class=\"toplevel\"><a data-parent=\"#sidebar\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#InformationMenu\"><h2>Information <i class=\"fa fa-caret-right fa-fw\"><\/i><\/h2><\/a>\n        <ul class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"InformationMenu\">\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/factsheetsaz.html\">A-Z Fact Sheets<\/a><\/li>\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/pubreportsaz.html\">A-Z Publications &#038; Reports<\/a><\/li>\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/diseasesandconditions.html\">Diseases &#038; Conditions<\/a><\/li>\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/faq.html\">FAQ&#8217;s<\/a><\/li>\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/php\/alerts.html\">Health Alerts<\/a><\/li>\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/healthylifestyles.html\">Healthy Lifestyles<\/a><\/li>\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/hipaa.html\">HIPAA<\/a><\/li>\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/regs.html\">Regulations<\/a><\/li>\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/forms.html\">Request Forms<\/a><\/li>\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/links.html\">Links &#038; Resources<\/a><\/li>\n        <li><a href=\"http:\/\/delaware.gov\/help\/foia_request.shtml\">FOIA Request Form<\/a><\/li>\n      <\/ul>\n    <\/li>\n    <li><a id=\"SocialMenuHeader\"><h2>Connect <i class=\"fa fa-thumbs-o-up fa-fw\"><\/i><\/h2><\/a>\n      <ul id=\"SocialMenu\">\n        <li class=\"facebook\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/DEPublicHealth\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Division of Public Health Facebook Page\"><i class=\"fa fa-facebook-square fa-lg\"><\/i> Facebook<\/a><\/li>\n        <li class=\"twitter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Delaware_DHSS\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Delaware Health and Social Services Twitter Account\"><i class=\"fa fa-twitter-square fa-lg\"><\/i> Twitter<\/a><\/li>\n        <!-- <li class=\"googleplus\"><a href=\"#\"><i class=\"fa fa-google-plus-square fa-lg\"><\/i> Google +<\/a><\/li>\n        <li class=\"flickr\"><a href=\"#\"><i class=\"fa fa-flickr fa-lg\"><\/i> Flickr<\/a><\/li>\n        <li class=\"youtube\"><a href=\"#\"><i class=\"fa fa-youtube-square fa-lg\"><\/i> Youtube<\/a><\/li>\n        <li class=\"instagram\"><a href=\"#\"><i class=\"fa fa-instagram fa-lg\"><\/i> Instagram<\/a><\/li>\n        <li class=\"linkedin\"><a href=\"#\"><i class=\"fa fa-linkedin-square fa-lg\"><\/i> Linkedin<\/a><\/li>\n        <li class=\"pinterest\"><a href=\"#\"><i class=\"fa fa-pinterest-square fa-lg\"><\/i> Pinterest<\/a><\/li> -->\n      <\/ul>\n    <\/li>\n  <\/ul>\n\n              <\/div>\n\n            <\/div>\n\n          <\/div>\n\n        <\/div><br>\n\n      <\/div>\n\n\n\n      <div class=\"col-md-9\" id=\"main_content\"> \n\n  \n\n<h2 class=\"center\">Health\n\n<!--[type=EDIT name=\"DHANType\"]-->\n\n\n\n   Alert<!--[END]-->\n\n<br>\n\n<!--[type=EDIT name=\"DHAN Heading\"]-->\n\n\n\nSHORTAGE OF ALINIA (NITAZOXANIDE) FOR TREATMENT OF CRYPTOSPORIDIOSIS<!--[END]-->\n\n<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<!--[type=HTMLEDIT name=\"Content\"]-->\n\n\n\n<p>\n\n\n  <br>\n\n\n  The Division of Public Health (DPH) alerts the medical community about a shortage of Alinia (nitazoxanide).\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n<p>\n\n\n  CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) has received multiple inquiries from health care providers across the United States\n\n\n  about the inability to fill prescriptions for Alinia (nitazoxanide).Alinia is the only U.S. Food and Drug Administration\u2013approved\n\n\n  drug to treat cryptosporidiosis in immunocompetent patients.\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n<p>\n\n\n  Romark Laboratories is in the process of changing sites where Alinia (nitazoxanide) is manufactured. Alinia suspension is currently not\n\n\n  available. If Alinia tablets are needed but unavailable through wholesalers or pharmacies, Romark Laboratories can ship single bottles of\n\n\n  tablets directly to a pharmacy. To make shipping arrangements, please call 813-282-8544. Romark Laboratories anticipates that it will\n\n\n  begin shipping new Alinia suspension during the week of January 16, 2012 and that wholesalers will be re-stocked with new supplies of\n\n\n  Alinia tablets in early February 2012.\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n<h3>\n\n\n  Reporting of Cryptosporidiosis:\n\n\n<\/h3>\n\n\n<p>\n\n\n  Cryptosporidiosis is a reportable disease in Delaware. Laboratories and healthcare providers are required to report any diagnosed case to\n\n\n  DPH, Bureau of Epidemiology (1-888-295-5156 or 1-302-744-1033) within 48 hours by telephone, fax or electronic method. Information\n\n\n  tracked includes date of onset, method of diagnosis, underlying medical conditions, occupation, travel history and any known exposures\n\n\n  within 10 days prior to the onset of illness.\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n<h3>\n\n\n  About Cryptosporidiosis:\n\n\n<\/h3>\n\n\n<p>\n\n\n  <em>Cryptosporidium<\/em> (Crypto) is a microscopic parasite that causes the diarrheal disease cryptosporidiosis. Both the parasite and\n\n\n  the disease are commonly known as &#8220;Crypto.&#8221;\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n<p>\n\n\n  There are many species of <em>Cryptosporidium<\/em> that infect humans and animals. The parasite is protected by an outer shell that\n\n\n  allows it to survive outside the body for long periods of time and makes it very tolerant to chlorine disinfection.\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n<p>\n\n\n  The most common symptom of cryptosporidiosis is watery diarrhea. Other symptoms include: stomach cramps or pain, dehydration, nausea,\n\n\n  vomiting, fever and weight loss. Some people with Crypto will have no symptoms at all. While the small intestine is the site most\n\n\n  commonly affected, Crypto infections could possibly affect other areas of the digestive tract or the respiratory tract.\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n<p>\n\n\n  Symptoms of cryptosporidiosis generally begin 2 to 10 days (average 7 days) after becoming infected with the parasite. In persons with\n\n\n  healthy immune systems, symptoms usually last about 1 to 2 weeks. The symptoms may go in cycles in which patient may seem to get better\n\n\n  for a few days, then feel worse again before the illness ends.\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n<p>\n\n\n  <em>Cryptosporidium<\/em> live in the intestine of infected humans or animals. An infected person or animal sheds Crypto parasites in the\n\n\n  stool. Millions of Crypto germs can be released in a bowel movement from an infected human or animal. Shedding of Crypto in the stool\n\n\n  begins when the symptoms begin and can last for weeks after the symptoms (e.g., diarrhea) stop. <em>Cryptosporidium<\/em> may be found in\n\n\n  soil, food, water, or on surfaces that have been contaminated with the feces from infected humans or animals. <em>Cryptosporidium<\/em> is\n\n\n  not spread by contact with blood.\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n<p>\n\n\n  <em>Cryptosporidium<\/em> can be spread:\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n<ul>\n\n\n  <li>By putting something in mouth or accidentally swallowing something that has come into contact with stool of a person or animal\n\n\n  infected with Crypto.\n\n\n  <\/li>\n\n\n  <li>By swallowing recreational water contaminated with Crypto<em>.<\/em> Recreational water is water in swimming pools, hot tubs,\n\n\n  Jacuzzis, fountains, lakes, rivers, springs, ponds, or streams. Recreational water can be contaminated with sewage or feces from humans\n\n\n  or animals.\n\n\n  <\/li>\n\n\n  <li>By swallowing water or beverages contaminated with stool from infected humans or animals.\n\n\n  <\/li>\n\n\n  <li>By eating uncooked food contaminated with Crypto.\n\n\n  <\/li>\n\n\n  <li>By touching the mouth with contaminated hands. Hands can become contaminated through a variety of activities, such as touching\n\n\n  surfaces (e.g., toys, bathroom fixtures, changing tables, diaper pails) that have been contaminated by stool from an infected person,\n\n\n  changing diapers, caring for an infected person, and handling an infected cow or calf.\n\n\n  <\/li>\n\n\n  <li>By exposure to human feces through sexual contact.\n\n\n  <\/li>\n\n\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<h3>\n\n\n  Diagnosis:\n\n\n<\/h3>\n\n\n<p>\n\n\n  Diagnosis of cryptosporidiosis is made by examination of stool samples. Because detection of <em>Cryptosporidium<\/em> can be difficult,\n\n\n  patients may be asked to submit several stool samples over several days. Most often, stool specimens are examined microscopically using\n\n\n  different techniques (e.g., acid-fast staining, direct fluorescent antibody [DFA], and\/or enzyme immunoassays for detection of\n\n\n  <em>Cryptosporidium<\/em> sp. antigens).\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n<p>\n\n\n  Molecular methods (e.g., polymerase chain reaction \u2013 PCR) are increasingly used in reference diagnostic labs, since they can be\n\n\n  used to identify <em>Cryptosporidium<\/em> spp. at the species level.\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n<p>\n\n\n  Tests for <em>Cryptosporidium<\/em> are not routinely done in most laboratories; therefore, health care providers should specifically\n\n\n  request testing for this parasite.\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n<h3>\n\n\n  Treatment:\n\n\n<\/h3>\n\n\n<p>\n\n\n  Most people who have healthy immune systems will recover without treatment. Diarrhea can be managed by drinking plenty of fluids to\n\n\n  prevent dehydration. People who are in poor health or who have weakened immune systems are at higher risk for more severe and prolonged\n\n\n  illness. Young children and pregnant women may be more susceptible to dehydration resulting from diarrhea and should drink plenty of\n\n\n  fluids while ill. Rapid loss of fluids from diarrhea may be especially life threatening to babies. Therefore, parents should talk to\n\n\n  their health care providers about fluid replacement therapy options for infants.\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n<p>\n\n\n  Anti-diarrheal medicine may help slow down diarrhea, but a health care provider should be consulted before such medicine is taken.\n\n\n  Nitazoxanide has been FDA-approved for treatment of diarrhea caused by <em>Cryptosporidium<\/em> in people with healthy immune systems and\n\n\n  is available by prescription. However, the effectiveness of nitazoxanide in immunosuppressed individuals is unclear.\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n<h3>\n\n\n  Additional Information:\n\n\n<\/h3>\n\n\n<ul>\n\n\n  <li>For more information on cryptosporidiosis, visit <a href=\"http:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/parasites\/crypto\/\">www.cdc.gov\/parasites\/crypto\/<\/a>\n\n\n  <\/li>\n\n\n  <li>For more information on treating cryptosporidiosis, visit <a href=\"http:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/parasites\/crypto\/treatment.html\">www.cdc.gov\/parasites\/crypto\/treatment.html<\/a>\n\n\n  <\/li>\n\n\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<p>\n\n\n  ************************<br>\n\n\n  <br>\n\n\n  You are receiving this message because you are a registered member of the Delaware Health Alert Network. If you are not a member and\n\n\n  would like to subscribe, please register at <a href=\"https:\/\/healthalertde.org\/\">https:\/\/healthalertde.org\/<\/a>\n\n\n<\/p><!--[END]-->\n\n  \n\n        <div class=\"panel panel-danger\">\n\n          <div class=\"panel-heading\">    \n\n      <h2>Categories of Health Alert messages:<\/h2>\n\n       <\/div>\n\n       <div class=\"panel-body\">\n\n      <ul>\n\n        <li><strong>Health Alert:<\/strong> Conveys the highest level of importance; warrants immediate action or attention.<\/li>\n\n        <li><strong>Health Advisory:<\/strong> Provides important information for a specific incident or situation; may not require immediate action.<\/li>\n\n        <li><strong>Health Update:<\/strong> Provides updated information regarding an incident or situation; unlikely to require immediate action.<\/li>\n\n            <\/ul>\n\n         <div><strong>NOTE: This page is for informational purposes only and dated material (e.g. temporary websites) may not be available.<\/strong><\/div>\n\n          <\/div> \n\n        <\/div><br>  \n\n\n\n      <\/div>\n\n    <\/div>\n\n  <\/div><!-- \/container -->\n\n  <\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Listen Delaware Health Alert Network #263 January 18, 2012 3:50pm Public Health Menu Home About About DPH Sections &#038; Programs Office Locations Contact Info Calendar Services A-Z Services Air &#038; Water Quality Birth, Death, &#038; Marriage Records Clinics Health Data &#038; Statistics Emergency Preparedness Health &#038; Wellness Healthy Homes Healthy Workplaces Laboratory Restaurant Inspections Screening [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":0,"parent":9294,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-10230","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dhss.delaware.gov\/dph\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/10230","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dhss.delaware.gov\/dph\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dhss.delaware.gov\/dph\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dhss.delaware.gov\/dph\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dhss.delaware.gov\/dph\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10230"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/dhss.delaware.gov\/dph\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/10230\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11406,"href":"https:\/\/dhss.delaware.gov\/dph\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/10230\/revisions\/11406"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dhss.delaware.gov\/dph\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/9294"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dhss.delaware.gov\/dph\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10230"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}