![]() Unknown to the health department at that time, the Milwaukee Water Works had received some complaints regarding the aesthetic quality of tap water. The Director of Nursing had anecdotal information that some pharmacies were selling out of anti-diarrheal medications. ![]() On Monday morning, April 5, 1993, the laboratory’s Chief Virologist and the Commissioner of Health received calls inquiring about the nature of apparent gastrointestinal (GI) illness reports in the City. What was the first sign of trouble in Milwaukee in 1993, and how did the health department respond? Microphotograph of Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts Image courtesy of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Stephen Gradus, Director of the City of Milwaukee Health Department Public Health Laboratories Division since 1990, for a look back at the event, including lessons learned, and improvements implemented. Caused by the chlorine-resistant parasite Cryptosporidium parvum,the outbreak affected over 400,000 people-25 percent of Milwaukee’s population in 1993-and resulted in over $96 million in combined healthcare costs and productivity losses, according to a study by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. ![]() Waterborne disease outbreaks are relatively rare events in our time, but just over two decades ago, Milwaukee experienced the largest documented drinking water outbreak in US history. Stephen Gradus, Ph.D., MT(ASCP), D(ABMM), City of Milwaukee Health Department.
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