CDC Warns of Pool Parasite this Summer

The CDC has warned against a potential pool parasite this summer, that has led federal health officials to release warnings for.

Outbreaks in pools, hot tubs and other recreational and municipal locations can be dangerous according to a report released late last week. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention concluded that over 90 outbreaks between 2011 and 2012 results in almost 1800 illnesses and 95 hospitalizations. The outbreaks even caused one death. 

Treated water is a massive proponent to these outbreaks, especially hot tubs, public pools and now residential pools. The "hardy parasite" as officials have deemed it is called Cryptosporidium, that is encased in a hard shell and causes acute gastrointestinal issues such as diarrhea.

The chief of the CDC's Healthy Swimming Program said the parasite is particularity troubling due to how long it can live in treated water. The parasite can survive for 10 days, much stronger compared to another bacteria like E. coli which is killed in minutes to hours in a treated pool. 

Young children are most at risk because they use these public pools. The parasites can be cleared from the body in about 2-3 weeks. Those with a weak immune system the condition can progress a lot quicker. 

To keep yourself and your children safe, be sure to look to see if the pool's most recent inspection is posted throughout the local health department. If someone is very nervous, they can look into buying their own chlorine tests that can be used to test if the water is properly treated.