Officials warn: Careful swimming in that pool
Health agencies urge precautions against 'crypto' parasite
By Ryan Clark
Cincinnati Enquirer staff writer
Thursday, September 1, 2005
Area health officials are urging the public to help prevent the spread of an illness found in local pools.
Cryptosporidiosis, or crypto, is a diarrhea-causing parasite that can cause stomach cramps, nausea and fever, and is passed person-to-person, said Tim Ingram, Hamilton County health commissioner.
Authorities said Wednesday that more than 180 probable and confirmed cases have been identified in Southwest Ohio and Northern Kentucky. The Ohio Department of Health and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have sent staff members to assist in the disease investigation.
Last week, the Hamilton County Health Department linked nine cases of the parasite to swimming pools at the Powel Crosley Jr. YMCA in Springfield Township. The pools were later super-chlorinated to rid them of the parasite.
But the Hamilton County Health Commission is now teaming up with the Northern Kentucky Independent Health District to make the public aware of the issue just in time for the end of the summer.
"We want people to have a good time over the Labor Day weekend," Ingram said. "But we want people to understand it's up to them to help stop this disease."
To do so, he said, requires those who are showing symptoms of the disease to stay out of public pools. Frequent hand-washing is also encouraged.
"And swimming pools (are) not the only place the disease can be spread," Ingram said. "It is also spread through day-care centers and homes."
The parasite's symptoms generally begin two to 10 days after being infected and can last one to two weeks.
