Bug shuts Norlane pool
Three cases with chlorine-resistant parasite visit centre
Another Geelong pool has been closed for concentrated cleaning after exposure to cases of a gastro bug.
The pool hall at the new Northern Aquatic & Community Hub (NACH) in Norlane closed last Friday after the centre was visited by three people confirmed to have the chlorine-resistant cryptosporidium “crypto” parasite.
Hyperchlorination was conducted to restore water quality to safe levels for swimming before aquatic facilities reopened at the weekend.
Greater Geelong has recorded 89 cases of crypto so far this year, a steep rise from the 59 across 2023, Health Department data shows .
Aquatic facilities at Leisurelink in Waurn Ponds temporarily closed in December and again on Australia Day after people infected by cryptosporidium attended that centre.
City of Greater Geelong executive director city life Anthony Basford said it was standard procedure for public pools to be treated if more than two positive cases of cryptosporidium had visited the facility within two weeks.
“The Department of Health directs the facility to carry out a hyperchlorination process for precautionary purposes,” Mr Basford said.
“As this process involves increasing chlorine levels unsafe for public swimming, the centre must close pools that are being treated and only open once levels have been restored.”
While NACH closed to undertake the precautionary action, Mr Basford said cryptosporidium was not found at the centre.
“Cryptosporidium is common in the industry and has caused three temporary centre closures in Greater Geelong since last December,” he said.
Barwon South West public health unit public health physician Dr Naomi Clarke said a number of cases had been associated with public pools this year.
“There have been 125 cases in the Barwon South West region so far in 2024,” she said.
“Cryptosporidium parasites are resistant to the levels of chlorine normally found in swimming pools.
“This has led to temporary closures of some pools to undertake precautionary hyperchlorination to reduce the risk of cryptosporidiosis transmission.”
Dr Clarke said the unit worked closely with the Health Department and councils to reduce the risk of cryptosporidiosis to the community.
She said the unit was contacting people diagnosed with cryptosporidiosis to investigate where they may have picked up their infection.
She said swimmers should follow five healthy steps to help keep pools clean – shower and wash with soap before swimming; wash hands with soap after going to the toilet or changing a nappy; change nappies in nappy-change areas only; avoid swallowing pool water; and do not swim if you have diarrhoea or have had diarrhoea in the past two weeks.