The 31 bugs swimming in ball pools

THe brightly coloured ball pools that are so popular with children are swarming with bacteria and yeast, scientists have revealed.

a study of six ball pools found one form of yeast and 31 types of bacteria – including eight that can cause illnesses such as stomach bugs, urinary tract infections and sepsis.

researchers warned that young children were particularly vulnerable to bacteria on the balls which were often contaminated with ‘dirt, vomit, faeces or urine’. This is the perfect environment for microbes to thrive.

Senior author Dr Dobroslawa Bialonska, from the University of North Georgia, US, said: ‘Toddlers, whose immune systems are not developed, are at increased risk of infection from ball pools. Plastic harbours bacteria and these balls are often visibly dirty when you see them at parties.

‘It is difficult to clean them and needs a commercial washer. Those that are not cleaned regularly put children at risk.’

karen Hoffmann, of the association for Professionals in Infection Control, said: ‘Ball pits may pose an infection hazard.

‘Facilities should establish a programme for regular cleaning to protect patients from potential infection risks.’