The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released a report on Friday about parasite outbreaks in swimming pools that are prevalent during summer months.
There were 90 recreational water-associated outbreaks recorded from 32 states and Puerto Rico, according to CDC reported.
The agency defines a recreational water-associated outbreak as "the occurrence of similar illnesses in two or more persons, epidemiologically linked by location and time of exposure to recreational water or recreational water-associated chemicals volatilized into the air surrounding the water."
The reported outbreaks caused 1,788 cases of illnesses, 95 hospitalizations and one death. Sixty-nine of these outbreaks occurred in treated recreational water, and 36 of them were caused by Cryptosporidium. These figures were based on data from 2011 to 2012, the latest available data on the subject.
Cryptosporidium, also known as Crypto, is a parasite that causes stomach illness such as diarrhea, and it is also one of the leading causes of water-borne diseases. The organism is introduced into public swimming pools through the feces of a person infected with it. It's tough outer shell allows it to survive for several days, even in pools that are treated with chlorine.
"It can survive for 10 days," said Michele Hlavsa, head of the Healthy Swimming Program for the CDC, according to The Inquisitr. "They disproportionately affect young children. They're the ones who can go to a pool and young children tend to carry lots of germs."
Hlavsa said that Crypto contamination in swimming pools can be controlled and avoided, mainly because the contamination is brought in by people who use the pool.
"Cryptosporidium is shed in our water or poop. If you have a diarrhea incident in the water, that can really impact everyone else," she said, the New York Daily News reported.
"We're really asking swimmers to keep Cryptosporidium out of the water in the first place," Hlvasa added, Live Science reported.
She reminded swimmers to shower before going in the water and avoid the pool when they are sick, particularly when they have diarrhea. If they have been diagnosed with Crypto, they should avoid the pool for two weeks. Hlvasa also said parents should give their children bathroom breaks during swimming.
For pools contaminated with Crypto, CDC recommends ultraviolet light or ozone treatment to get rid of the parasite.
