To the editor:

We read your Jan. 24 article “CDC: Crypto response too slow” about CDC’s cryptosporidiosis outbreak report. As the report authors, we wish to challenge the interpretation that this report was critical of the actions of the Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department (LDCHD).

In fact, Ms. Kay Kent and LDCHD staff, and Dr. Gianfranco Pezzino and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment staff should be applauded for their effort, and the citizens of Lawrence-Douglas County should know they were well served by LDCHD. Efforts to analyze, rethink and learn from our actions and responses should not be construed as criticizing past LDCHD actions.

After every investigation, CDC, in partnership with our state/local health department colleagues, decides whether current response methods could be updated based on knowledge gained during the investigation. This is to ensure that we have the most logical and up-to-date plan for responding to similar outbreaks in the future. Such an updated response plan is outlined in the report.

We believe that prompt laboratory screening, a “full court press” on the investigation, a multitude of health communication/intervention activities in schools, pools, daycares, etc., and the multiple press releases and conferences carried out by LDCHD and the state health department undoubtedly decreased the potential spread of cryptosporidium and the magnitude of the outbreak. Ms. Kent and her staff went above and beyond the call of duty to protect the citizens of their community and we commend her and her staff for the exemplary job they performed during this investigation.

Michael J. Beach, Dr. LeAnne Fox, Dr. Brian Blackburn,

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Atlanta, Ga.