Cryptosporidium
Cryptosporidium is a microscopic parasite that causes the diarrheal disease cryptosporidiosis. Both the parasite and the disease are commonly known as “Crypto. There are many species of Cryptosporidium that infect animals, some of which also infect humans. The parasite is protected by an outer shell that allows it to survive outside the body for long periods of time and makes it very tolerant to chlorine disinfection. While this parasite can be spread in several different ways, water (drinking water and recreational water) is the most common way to spread the parasite. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, n.d.)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. n.d. “Parasites - Cryptosporidium (Also Known as ‘Crypto’).” Parasites. https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/crypto/index.html.