Cryptosporidium Blog

EPA Forces Small Towns And Rural Water Systems To Test For E coli And Crypto

marler@marlerclark.com (Cryptosporidium Attorney) — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 12:26:50 -0800

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has brought certain California small towns and rural water systems into compliance for testing of E. coli, which can indicate the presence of cryptosporidium, a pathogen than can caused intestinal illness.

The company town of Scotia's water system is one such place.

According to the Times-Standard published in Eureka:

Scotia was one of 10 California towns and agencies which hadn't yet complied with a new federal regulation to test the source of its public drinking water system. It was supposed to begin monitoring for E. coli on Oct. 1. When it didn't, the EPA ordered it to start the program or face up to $32,500 a day for each violation.

”Since we issued the order they did come into compliance,” said EPA spokeswoman Mary Simms.

Scotia dates back to 1863. It was created as a "company town" by Pacific Lumber, known by the locals as PL, around the world's largest redwood mill. Go here for more.

3rd Highest Foreclosure Rate Means Florida Has Problem Pools All Over The Place--Crypto Risk High

marler@marlerclark.com (Cryptosporidium Attorney) — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 13:45:32 -0800

To its growing problem with public and quasi-public swimming pools, Florida must now be concerned about its rising number of abandoned backyard pools. The Sunshine State is No. 3 in foreclosures, according to recent data, and residential swimming pools are common.

The South Florida Sun-Sentinel recently reported on the public pool problem this way:

Nothing says "South Florida lifestyle" like a pool, a tropical oasis where you can take a dip year-round. But hundreds of pools are closed annually for carrying parasites, bacteria and other pathogens that can make swimmers seriously ill.

Swimming pools and spas in South Florida's apartment complexes, hotels and health clubs were closed a record 2,516 times last year for posing potential health hazards, a 44 percent increase over the previous year.

Health officials say the public needs to realize that a poorly maintained pool or spa poses health risks.

"When we all jump into a swimming pool, it's like we all are jumping into a bathtub together," said Michele Hlavsa, an federal epidemiologist. "You should know how well your pool is run."

The newspaper says Florida experienced at least 41 outbreaks of water-borne illnesses in the past ten years, including those involving Cryptosporidium. Go here for more.

Communitywide Cryptosporidiosis Outbreak--Utah, 2007

marler@marlerclark.com (Cryptosporidium Lawyer) — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 19:14:33 -0800

The Utah Department of Health (UDOH) received 1,902 case reportsof laboratory-confirmed cryptosporidiosis during June-December2007, compared with an annual median of 16 reports of laboratory-confirmedcases (range: six to 20) during 2002-2006. All 1,902 cases metthe outbreak-related case definition.

Clearly, this was an outbreak made for eventual analysis for specific publication in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA). That document has now been published and can be found here.

Below are the recommendations for health professionals in dealing with Crypto.

BOX. Preventing communitywide cryptosporidiosis outbreaks—Recommendationsfor health departments

Before increased transmission of Cryptosporidiumis detected

Establish strong working relationships with communitypartners, such as operators of treated recreational water venues(e.g., pools, water parks, and interactive fountains) and childcare programs. For example, maintain updated e-mail, fax, andtelephone lists for community partners.
Set disease actionthreshold (e.g., a twofold to threefold increase over baselinefor the previous 5 years) at which community partners will benotified and mobilized to implement additional control measures.
Develophealth communications about cryptosporidiosis control and outbreakresponse.
Educate community partners about how they can preventCryptosporidium transmission and about the control measuresthey will need to implement if the preset disease action thresholdis exceeded.
Collaborate with community partners to educatethe public about healthy swimming and good handwashing behaviors.

Ifthe preset disease action threshold is exceeded or an outbreakis detected, public health officials should rapidly mobilizecommunity partners to implement additional control measures

Controlmeasures for operators of treated recreational water venues:
- Reinforceefforts to educate the public about healthy swimming behaviors(e.g., not swimming while ill with diarrhea and not swallowingthe water).
- Post diarrhea-exclusion messages where patronscan easily see and read them before entering the facility andthe water.
- Restrict staff members who are ill with diarrheafrom entering the water. Consider reassigning them to dutiesthat do not require them to enter the water (e.g., administrativeduties) until their symptoms resolve.
- Hyperchlorinate the water(when not being used) at levels that inactivate Cryptosporidiumif the health department notifies the facility of the need tohyperchlorinate.
- Consider regular hyperchlorination (e.g.,weekly) to help prevent the spread of Cryptosporidium.
- Discussother possible prevention measures with local or state healthdepartment (e.g., suspending high-risk group events, such asvisits from child care groups).
Control measures for operatorsof child care programs:
- Educate parents and staff about cryptosporidiosisand how they can help stop Cryptosporidium transmission.
- Reinforcethe facility's diarrhea-exclusion policy. For example, reassignstaff ill with diarrhea to jobs that minimize the risk for transmission(e.g., administrative work instead of food preparation).
- Reinforcegood hand-washing practices among attendees and staff. Assistyoung children with hand washing as needed. (Note: Alcohol-basedhand gels and sanitizers are ineffective against Cryptosporidium.)
- Followgood diaper-changing practices. For example, with each diaperchange, use new disposable paper over diaper-changing surfacesand new gloves.
- Suspend all water-play and swimming activities(e.g., visits to public pools).
- Disinfect surfaces, particularlydiaper-changing areas and toys, with hydrogen peroxide. (Note:Bleach solutions are ineffective against Cryptosporidium.)

Health Officials In Texas Want To Extend Pool Regulations To Sprayparks

marler@marlerclark.com (Cryptosporidium Lawyer) — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 18:35:27 -0800

Health authorities in Texas now say there is a dangerous oversight in state health codes.

They have concluded that this summer's outbreak of the cryptosporidium parasite from Burger's Lake spread to sprayparks.

Unlike larger public swimming pools, stand-alone fun fountains are not inspected and treated. WFAA-TV reports that:

More than 1,000 cases of the parasite cryptosporidium have been confirmed in counties across North Texas.

Only a handful of those were people who swam in Burger's Lake, the source of this summer's outbreak.

"We were under the assumption that the sprayparks were considered or had guidance under the health and safety code. And under our review, we discovered that they are not regulated under the health and safety code," said Zachary Thompson, from the Dallas County Health Department.

Health officials believe the smaller sprayparks helped spread the cryto parasite across Texas, They will seek legislation to close the loophole before next summer's swimming and splashing season begins anew.

Andrews Park Splash Pad Shut Down Due to Crypto

marler@marlerclark.com (Cryptosporidium Attorney) — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 14:07:21 -0800

Oklahoma is finding itself in the middle of another food or water borne illness--this time it is an outbreak of Cryptosporidium that's made at least 20 people sick. KOCO-TV 5 in Oklahoma City reports:

Oklahoma health officials are looking into an outbreak of a waterborne disease in McClain and Cleveland counties that may be linked to a Norman water park.

At least 20 reported cases of cryptosporidiosis forced the health department to shut down The Splash Pad at Andrews Park early.

The illness, also known as crypto, can make one feel sick, have a fever and cause diarrhea. It’s commonly traced to swimming pools, especially those popular with children.

Water containing cryptosporidium was found in one of the attractions at The Splash Pad where water is allowed to recirculate.

Jeff Hill, of Norman’s Parks and Recreation Department, said of the 17 cases he knew about, fewer than a third were traced to The Splash Pad.“Our main concern was the health of the kids,” said Hill. “We don’t want them getting sick.” For more, go here.

Dallas Spends Summer Fight Crypto: And Crypto Is Winning

marler@marlerclark.com (Cryptosporidium Lawyer) — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 14:19:17 -0800

Since late June, Dallas has seen 378 reports of laboratory confirmed cases of cryptosporidium connected to the use of recreational water facilities.

Dallas County Health and Human Services (DCHHS) going into the Labor Day weekend again called on the public to take an active role in halting the spread of cryptosporidiosis (crypto). Crypto is a diarrheal illness caused by microscopic parasites called Cryptosporidium.

“We are asking the public to help DCHHS stop this outbreak,” said Dr. Wendy Chung, DCHHS Chief Epidemiologist. “The means keeping cryptosporidiosis out of our water parks, spray parks and pools and also preventing person-to-person spread."

Also, DCHHS is recommending that persons at high risk of developing severe illness, such as those with compromised immune systems, avoid use of water parks or pools until further notice,” Chung continues.

”DCHHS is working with all the aquatic facilities linked to this outbreak to ensure that proper sanitation measures are being taken,” spokesman Zachary Thompson said. “A large number of cases of crypto in Dallas County have been associated with stand-alone spray parks and large water parks. "

For more, including info on getting crypto and the do's and don't according to Dallas health, go here.

Flags Over Columbus Public Health Flapping Hard As Much Work Goes On Inside

marler@marlerclark.com (Cryptosporidium Attorney) — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 20:19:53 -0800

Add Cryposporidium to the list of food and water bugs that are making people in central Ohio ill this summer. Over on the Shigella blog, we previously reported on central Ohio's bouts with E. coli, Salmonella Saintpaul, and Shigella. Check out: Cases Of Diarrhea-Causing Bacteria Increase In Ohio

Now its Crypto. Columbus News reports:

Columbus and Franklin County have reported 51 cases so far this year, compared to 27 cases in all of 2007. Thirty-one of those cases have been reported since July 1, prompting the health department to alert medical providers, pool operators, child care providers, schools, and the public.

Cryptosporidium, the chlorine-resistant parasite responsible for crypto, is primarily associated with treated swimming places, said health commissioner Teresa Long. On Friday, Aug. 15, Long ordered the largest 28 pools in Columbus to hyper-chlorinate their facilities immediately.

Investigations have not yielded a definitive link between the 51 reported cases, according to Columbus Public Health.

Go here for more.

How Many Hotel/Motel Swimming Pools Are Cryto Breeding Grounds?

marler@marlerclark.com (Cryptosporidium Lawyer) — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 15:01:03 -0800

We doubt if many readers are going to be looking for a hotel or motel in Fort Dodge, Iowa. However, if you are, avoid the check-in line at the Quality Inn. It does not look like much (see picture), but there is a swimming pool inside for 96 room, 37-year old hotel/motel. For sure, do not go in the pool!

The Webster County Board of Health met on Wednesday night to discuss what to do about the Quality Inn. Its pool has failed cleanliness tests six times since December, but the hotel management appears to care less. The Fort Dodge Messenger reports:

According to Webster County Sanitarian Gary Boerner, management of Quality Inn, at 2001 Highway 169 in Fort Dodge, has failed to close their indoor pool and spa, despite failing numerous tests to determine its cleanliness. Boerner said that he has visited the establishment on at least six different occasions since December. The most recent visit was Wednesday.

''When this really became an issue was when the softball tournament was in town,'' Boerner told the board. ''I went out to Quality Inn to make sure they were cooperating correctly. I had the state inspector with me that day as well. We walked in there, there were the young kids swimming in the pool, I took a test and discovered that there was absolutely no chlorine in either the pool or the spa.''

After explaining the situation to management and telling them to close the pool, Boerner made two signs declaring the pool closed by order of the Webster County Public Health sanitarian. He then placed one sign at the front of the hotel and one at the entrance into the pool.

A visit the next day found the signs taken down and the pool open for business.

The health board referred the issue to the County Attorney for enforcement action. Go here for more.

Cleburne, Texas Waits For "An Incident" Before Closing For Crypto

marler@marlerclark.com (Cryptosporidium Lawyer) — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 17:02:53 -0800

For the past month, much of the country has experienced temperatures in the 90 to 100 degree range. That's not a time when anyone wants to close swimming pools, but many have been closed when the pesky Cryptosporidium parasite arrives on the scene.

Yet, we think it would be a great graduate thesis for some environmental health student to study how various jurisdictions have reacted this summer. We were impressed by the swift action Phoenix City Manager Frank Fairbanks took in closing all city pools when confronted with the Crypto challenge. (See: How Phoenix Delivered The News That All Pools Are Closed!)

Perhaps by contrast, there were reports of Crypto-caused illnesses ten days ago at the Cleburne, Texas Splash Station Water Park. Only after "an incident" that forced it to close Sunday did the park come up with the Monday closure plan. According to the Cleburne Times Review:

Cleburne’s Splash Station water park will be closed on Mondays through the end of the summer operating season. All pools will be hyper-chlorinated and the facility disinfected during that time each week. As a result of recent waterborne illness concerns Splash Station management is taking this precautionary approach to ensure patrons of the water park are protected.

Even with ongoing screening of patrons, an incident Sunday afternoon prompted Splash Station to be shut down and sanitized. The facility was then hyper-chlorinated and will now re-open Tuesday as regularly scheduled.

Go here for more on Cleburne. These are just two examples. We sure like to see a good study into the best approach to controlling Crypto.

Crypto Closes Popular Texas Lake For Ten Days

marler@marlerclark.com (Cryptosporidium Lawyer) — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 18:38:57 -0800

Burger's Lake, a popular waterhole in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, was set to re-opened today after being closed since July 16 to clean up Cryptosporidium contamination.

According to the Fort Worth Star Telegram:

Workers at the popular swimming hole have completed the hyperchlorination process recommended by health officials, a park worker said. Hyperchlorination involves "shocking" the water with a concentrated dose of chlorine.

Health officials were expected to start testing the water at 6 a.m., according to a text message from owner Licurgus Mahan.

If needed, fresh water will continue to be added until the chlorine level is safe for swimming, he said.

Tarrant County has 20 confirmed cases of cryptosporidiosis, the newspaper says. Symptoms include diarrhea and nausea. Go here for more.

How Phoenix Delivered The News That All Pools Are Closed!

marler@marlerclark.com (Cryptosporidium Lawyer) — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 20:55:58 -0800

"Good evening. I’m Phoenix City Manager Frank Fairbanks.

Today we learned from Maricopa County officials that two swimmers who had used the city’s Starlight Pool have tested positive for the intestinal illness crypto-spor-i-dio-sis, commonly known as “crypto.”

We also have been made aware that 14 lifeguards and 15 visitors to Starlight Pool have been ill.

We do not know that all of these people have been ill with crypto. And the pool chemical tests have met County health standards.

The only confirmed illness of which we are aware is limited to visitors of Starlight Pool. But swimmers from Starlight may have visited other city pools and some city lifeguards from Starlight work at several different city pools.

Because so many of our swimmers are children, we want to be very cautious and safe, and go above and beyond. We are therefore closing all of the city’s 29 pools for testing and treatment.

All of the pools were closed tonight and the treatment will work as follows. Parks staff is super-chlorinating all of the pools to a level of 40 parts per million of chlorine and maintaining that level of chlorine for 40 hours. The Centers for Disease Control recommends 20 parts per million, but just to be safe, we are using 40 parts per million.

Additionally, the city’s Water Department is taking samples tonight from Starlight and nearby pools and testing them for crypto. Those test results should be known in about 48 hours.

This is a good lesson for all of us. The CDC recommends that if you have symptoms of intestinal illness, such as diarrhea, vomiting, or stomach cramps, do not go swimming – in a public pool or private pool.

Again, we believe this is an isolated incident at Starlight Pool, but the safety of the public is our top priority."

Intestinal parasites found in Pismo Beach waters

marler@marlerclark.com (Cryptosporidium Attorney) — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 13:48:40 -0800

April Charlton, Senior Staff Writer for the Santa Maria Times, had some bad news for California's central coast over the 4th of July weekend. She reported:

Intestinal parasites were found south of Pismo Pier and in the Cypress Street lagoon at the mouth of Pismo Creek, according to an ongoing water quality study by Pismo Beach.

Researchers have found both cryptosporidium and Giardia in samples recently taken from the lagoon and 40 feet south of Pismo Pier, said Cal Poly professor Christopher Kitts, who is heading up the study, along with other Cal Poly professors and students.

Pismo Beach is using a more than $660,000 state grant to fund the detailed study, which is a first-of-its-kind DNA tracking project that aims to identify the source of ocean pollution at the beach.

Ingesting either of the parasites - cryptosporidium or Giardia, which are also considered pathogens - can cause an otherwise healthy person to develop intestinal problems such as diarrhea.

All of the pathogens tested for in water samples taken since mid-May have been found, but, there's been no evidence so far of human contamination, Kitts said.

“That's pretty positive news,” he added.

As we remember it, the waters 40 feet south of Pismo Pier are deep and cold. Surfers there must know how to keep their mouths shut. Read the rest here.

Small Town In Iowa Gets Ready To Fight Crypto

marler@marlerclark.com (Cryptosporidium Lawyer) — Wed, 21 May 2008 19:06:54 -0800

Cresco, Iowa, population 3,905, located in Howard County on the border with Minnesota is one of those picture post card sort of small towns. The Times Plain Dealer is a weekly newspaper that publishes on Wednesdays with a solid site on the web.

Sometimes its the small places that step up to big challenges. Cresco is stepping up the fight against Cryptosporidium. Times Dealer reporter Sara Daehn writes this week about the battle.

Record high cases of infections by the parasite Cryptosporidium throughout Iowa in 2007 and 2008 have prompted Cresco Fitness Center officials to discuss a plan in the event of a local outbreak.

Fitness center employees are working with Community Health Services/Howard County Public Health officials to develop the plan as well as ways to prevent an outbreak from occurring.

One of the most common waterborne diseases, Cryptosporidium, commonly known as crypto, is easily spread in recreational water, such as pools and rivers. The parasite is one of several Recreational Water Illnesses. Others include Giardia, Shigella and E. coli.

Although Howard County did not have any documented cases of Crypto in 2007 or so far in 2008, local officials agree it’s best to be prepared.

Crypto struck 937 Iowans last year. Most were age 4 and under.

Upcoming Week Used To Fight "Crypto" In Recreational Waters

marler@marlerclark.com (Cryptosporidium Attorney) — Sat, 10 May 2008 17:35:04 -0800

State and local health departments and the Centers for Disease Control investigated a historic high number of illnesses involving recreational waters last year.

The upsurge is being driven by Cryptosporidium ("Crypto"). Its a chlorine resistant parasite found in recreational waters including swimming pools and parks.

"Crypto" gets into recreational waters from babies and older swimmers with diarrhea. Other swimmers then swallow the contaminated waters, spreading the disease.

CDC wants to educate the public about the threat of "Crypto" to all those who are about to enjoyed the nation's swimming pools and parks. So, May 19-25, 2008 is being celebrated as "National Recreational Water Illness Prevention Week."

The annual event is held the week before Memorial Day Weekend, the traditional start of summer. CDC is using the week to get out its three "pleas" to swimmers and parents in hopes of controlling the quick-spreading parasite this summer. Here they are:

Three "PLEAs" for All Swimmers

Practice these three "PLEAs" to stop germs from causing illness at the pool:

Please don't swim when you have diarrhea. You can spread germs in the water and make other people sick. This is especially important for kids in diapers.

Please don't swallow the pool water. In fact, avoid getting water in your mouth.

Please practice good hygiene. Take a shower before swimming and wash your hands after using the toilet or changing diapers. Germs on your body end up in the water.

Three "PLEAs" for Parents of Young Kids

Follow these three "PLEAs" to keep germs out of the pool and your community:

Please take your kids on bathroom breaks or check diapers often. Waiting to hear "I have to go" may mean that it's too late.

Please change diapers in a bathroom or a diaper-changing area and not at poolside. Germs can spread to surfaces and objects in and around the pool and cause illness.

Please wash your child thoroughly (especially the rear end) with soap and water before swimming. Everyone has invisible amounts of fecal matter on their bottoms that ends up in the pool.

CDC has lot's more more available here.

Provo Fights Crypto With High Tech Equipment

marler@marlerclark.com (Cryptosporidium Attorney) — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 17:48:38 -0800

As regular readers will know, we've been following the reaction of local and state governments in Utah the likelihood that last summer's Crytosporidium outbreak will return this year. Latest to do something is the City of Provo. The Salt Lake Tribune reports:

Provo will spend $200,000 to add high-tech equipment to fight cryptosporidium at swimming pools.
Utah had more than 1,900 cases of crypto last year. It can spread in water contaminated with human feces and cause diarrhea and other problems.
The ultraviolet disinfectant systems will be installed at the Veterans Memorial Pool and Waterslide Park complex and at the Provo Recreation Center.
The equipment works by shining rays on water as it circulates through the system. It can take 24 hours to clean a pool, and there still can be some water that doesn't pass through the system.
Salt Lake County is trying a similar strategy.

Find the story here.

Check out the comments there too. Someone is suggesting Provo start taxing diapers to pay for the improvements!

Common Misspellings of Cryptosporidium - cryptosporidium, cryptosperideum, cryptosporidium, cryptosporidia, cryptospordia

bmarler@marlerclark.com (Bill Marler) — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 16:44:54 -0800

Cryptosporidium parvum (also known as "Crypto") is a parasite that is too small to be seen with the naked eye. It is found in water and food sources contaminated with the feces of infected humans, cattle, and other mammals. The infectious form of the parasite, known as an ìoocyst, it is highly resistant to the levels of chlorine normally found in drinking water and swimming pools.

44 Percent Increase In Crypto, FoodNet Data Shows

marler@marlerclark.com (Cryptosporidium Attorney) — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 17:12:37 -0800

After the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention released the 2007 FoodNet data, most of the stories that were written focused on the fact that there was little change in the incidents of food-borne illnesses in 45-million person study area.

There was, however, one exception. The parasite Cryptosporidium, for which the estimated incidence of infections was up 44 percent compared with the 2004-06 period, the CDC said.

Dr. Robert Tauxe, deputy director of the CDC's Division of Foodborne, Bacterial and Mycotic Diseases, said new treatment for the parasite infection might be causing doctors to order more tests for it.

Tauxe said the increase in Cryptosporidium cases may reflect increased diagnostic testing triggered by the licensing of a new treatment, nitazoxanide. "There wasn't a compelling reason to get a test done in the past. Now it's something they [physicians] can treat," he said.

On the other hand, there might be just a lot more of the parasite out there. The Foodnet area includes Connecticut, Georgia, Maryland, Minnesota, New Mexico, Oregon, and Tennessee, plus parts of California, Colorado, and New York. Cypto outbreaks have been commonplace, especially involving water parks and public swimming pools.

FoodNet counted 1,216 cases of Cryptosporidium in the study area during 2007, or 2.67 per 100,000. Since the study area represents 15 percent of the total population in the United States, FoodNet suggests there might have been more than 8,100 Cryto cases in the entire country last year.

Giardia & Cryptosporidium Found In Alamosa's Water

marler@marlerclark.com (Cryptosporidium Attorney) — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 15:45:26 -0800

KOAA-TV, the NBC affiliate in Colorado Springs and Pueblo, tonight (4/9/08) is reporting that parasites have been found in Alamosa's water. KOAA reports that:

Residents of Alamosa hoped that this was the day they'd get the all-clear on their municipal water supply. No such luck. New problems have been found.

The Colorado Department of Health informed the city that a water sample taken before the system was flushed contained two different parasites -- Giardia and Cryptosporidium. Both can cause diarrhea. The water tests were performed by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Investigators from the CDC were in Alamosa to investigate reports that several hundred people contracted salmonella The salmonella was traced to the municipal water supply, but officials were unsuccessful in tracing how the bacteria got into the water. The contaminated water was identified three weeks ago today, when residents were told to completely stop using the water.

Alamosa remains on a "boiled water" order. The number of people who've gotten sick has reached 389 with 107 culture confirmed cases of salmonella. Sixteen people required hospitalization, but none died and all have been released. For the KOAA story, go here.

Nevada Town Plans To Zap Cyptosporidium In Pool

marler@marlerclark.com (Cryptosporidium Attorney) — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 19:05:39 -0800

We've written much about last summer's outbreak of Cryptosporidium in Utah. Next door, in Nevada, the town of Fernley is making parasite control a big part of its pool upgrades.

The municipality of 19,700 is spending $731,368 on its "pool deck improvement project." Included in the scope of the project is parasite fighting system RGJ.com reports:

Part of the upgrades includes installation of an ultra violet light sanitation system, to which Board member Chris Beni asked what the benefit of that system entailed.

Facility Director Jann Van Horn said, "I suspect the CDC (Center for Disease Control) will be requiring it very shortly based on the literature I've been reading." She went on to say the UV disinfection system get rid of water born germs including Cryptosporidium and Giardia, instantly.

Van Horn added those two water born germs shut down pools in Salt Lake City, Utah. She went on to say the UV disinfection systems are now required in the states of New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

The rest of the story can be found here.

Spanish Fork Did Not Warn About Crypto

marler@marlerclark.com (Cryptosporidium Attorney) — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 13:21:30 -0800

Last summer's Cryptosporidium outbreak in Utah's public swimming pools continues to get attention. First, public health officials have been warned such large outbreaks are usually followed by a continued presence of the parasite the following year. Second, some officials want Utah to strike before that happens with a ban on wearing diapers in public swimming pools. And, third, studies are coming in on what actually did happen last season.

The cypto parasite made lots of people sick at the public swimming pool at Spanish Fork, Utah. (It is shown in the picture.) So, its been subjected to a study by the Utah County Health Department. The Salt Lake Tribune reports that:

A Utah County Health Department investigation found the Spanish Fork pool didn't post a mandatory sign telling people with diarrhea
they couldn't swim. While the notice was read over the intercom, no employees heard it, the report said.

The county's findings did not please Spanish Fork officials. Assistant city manager Seth Perrins said the city is "not liable for a crypto outbreak" and noted the pool was closed and super-chlorinated when managers were told it was infected with the parasite.

Go here for whole SLT story.