Pool parasites could cause illness
Outbreaks reported in 40 states, including Florida
Before you plunge into a public pool or splash through a local waterpark, you might want to know that a parasite found in poop and spread by swimming is causing an increasing number of illness outbreaks.
The parasite also known as Crypto, causes severe diarrhea that can last a few weeks, and has been reported in 40 states including Florida. The number of reported outbreaks has increased an average of about 13% per year since 2009, mostly from people swallowing contaminated water in public pools, kiddie wading
Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties have 15 confirmed cases of Crypto and 26 probable cases of the parasite-related illness, according to the Florida Department of Health.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said symptoms include nausea, cramps and watery diarrhea that can last up to three weeks and lead to serious malnutrition and dehydration. The CDC also emphasizes “not swimming or attending child care if ill with diarrhea.”
While outbreaks are most commonly linked to pools, other sources include contact with infected pools, or water playgrounds. cattle and persons in child care settings and consumption of unpasteurized milk and apple cider. The CDC also recommends hand washing after touching animals and keeping sick children home from camp, school or childcare.
Nationally, the 444 outbreaks of Crypto, a microscopic parasite, were reported from 2009 to 2017, which sickened 7,465 people, hospitalized 287 and killed one. “Infections are most common in July and August, when people tend to swim more,” the CDC says.
Most public pools and water parks use chlorine to kill germs. Cryptosporidium, the leading cause of outbreaks of diarrhea, up in swimming pools and waterparks.
Cryptosporidium,
However, the CDC says Crypto’s outer shell “allows it to survive outside the body for long periods of time and makes it extremely tolerant to chlorine disinfection.
Unfortunately, the waterborne outbreaks are difficult to contain because it takes only a few germs to make someone sick, and there can be millions of Crypto germs in one diarrhea bout. The CDC says it may have identified a surveillance system, known as CryptoNet, to help with prevention of the parasitic disease.
In Florida, public swimming pools and bathing areas are required to test pH and disinfectant levels daily and the state health department is mandated to complete routine inspections twice a year.