A case of cryptosporidium — the first in Lawrence since last summer’s outbreak that affected dozens of people in the area — has been diagnosed, health officials said Thursday.

Kay Kent, director of the Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department, said the case had no apparent connection to any swimming pools or child care centers in the city.

“We just know we’ve asked all the routine questions; there’s no day-care connection, no swimming,” Kent said.

The infected patient is a Lawrence adult whose doctor reported the case Thursday to health officials.

A year ago, a cryptosporidiosis outbreak that started among Lawrence swimmers led to nearly 100 laboratory-confirmed cases in seven northeast Kansas counties, with 89 of the cases in Douglas County. There may have been several hundred more unconfirmed cases, federal health officials reported early this year. No one died from the outbreak, though cryptosporidiosis can be fatal.

That outbreak spurred new rules for the city to notify health officials and take action whenever diarrhea is found in the pool — a rule that already has caused the city’s Outdoor Aquatic Center to be temporarily closed or cleared twice this month for chemical treatment.

Kent said Thursday the new case wouldn’t lead to additional measures.

“I think we’re being pretty strict,” she said.

She added that health officials urge people to wash their hands after using the bathroom and before preparing or eating food and not swimming when ill with diarrhea. Hygiene is considered a key step to prevent spread of the disease.

“I think the prevention pieces are in place,” Kent said, “provided the public follows our advice.”

Cryptosporidium is a microscopic parasite that causes diarrhea, loose or watery stool, stomach cramps, upset stomach and a slight fever. The parasite can be fatal to patients with weakened immune systems, such as the young, elderly or people with HIV. More than two-thirds of those who contract cryptosporidiosis are children.

The parasite is passed through oral ingestion of even microscopic amounts of tainted feces.