Cryptosporidium outbreak hits Utah pools

Posted by Jared Faerber at 9/7/2007 8:32 AM and is filed under Hot Topics
    Children under age 5 have been banned from most Utah public swimming pools in an attempt to stop the spread of cryptosporidium, a parasite that can cause severe diarrhea. 

    So far, the state has confirmed 422 cases of crypto, and, fortunately, no deaths.

    Cryptosporidium is found in soil, food, water or surfaces that have been contaminated with human or animal feces. 

    Cryptosporidium is protected by an outer shell that allows it to survive outside the body for long periods of time and makes it very resistant to chlorine, so regular levels of chlorine in pools will not kill it.  Officials have recommended  pools hyper chlorinate to destroy the parasite. 

    From a legal standpoint, of relevance is when the various pools knew or should have known about this problem?  If it was known, were any warnings given to swimmers and their families?  Is the advice of officials to hyper chlorinate and close the pools to young children being properly heeded? 

The number of cases continues to rise.  Let's hope it goes the other direction with the implementation of these safeguards.     

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  • 12/12/2007 8:49 AM Elisa wrote:
    Further - why is not the info broken down into age groups and sex groups and even further into pool lisitings so that the responsibility can be placed on those pools!
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