74999

Australia's largest pool and spa maintenance brand, Poolwerx, is urging commercial pool operators to prioritise the health of their pools following a string of Cryptosporidiosis outbreaks in recent months.

The infection commonly presents as gastroenteritis and is caused by swallowing Cryptosporidium, a chlorine-resistant parasite. One common way for infection is by swimming in contaminated pools, spas or waterparks.

Urging commercial pool operators to prioritise their pool care as we head into the cooler months, Poolwerx Clarence Valley Franchise Partner, Shauna Brigden advises “the most effective way to minimise the risk of Cryptosporidiosis to swimmers is to prevent Cryptosporidium contamination in the swimming pool, and regularly check the health of your pool water.

“If you notice any of the following, we recommend consulting your local pool specialist team about how to improve your water quality and reduce your risk.”

Brigden suggests operator answer questions such as:

• Do you have Rust or Corrosion in your indoor pool room?
• Do your combine chlorine levels exceed health regulations of 1ppm?
• Do your bathers complain about itchy or dry skin?
• Are you swimmers protected against Cryptosporidium and other chlorine resistant parasites?
• Can you smell chlorine in the air?

Brigden adds “the most effective water treatment technology to combat all the above is AOP (Advanced Oxidation Process). This destroys organic waste and chlorine-resistant parasites such as Cryptosporidium and Giardia.”

Background
Recent data from the Victorian Department of Health reported a 600% year on year increase in Cryptosporidiosis cases in the first quarter of this year, totalling 607 reported cases.

Similarly, Queensland recorded more than 1,500 cases of the water-borne parasite, cryptosporidium, in January and February - more than for the whole of 2023.

Click here to view Poolwerx’s factsheet on Cryptosporidiosis.

Image credit: Shutterstock.

Related Articles

28th May 2024 - Research highlights potential of climate change to boost cryptosporidiosis in New Zealand swimming locations

14th February 2024 - NSW and Queensland health authorities warn swimmers of cryptosporidium parasite risks

1st February 2024 - pHlozone software delivers new levels of technology for management of aquatic facilities

16th September 2021 - Poolwerx Learn2Swim Week returns to pools across Australia

31st May 2021 - Auckland Council Leisure Network candid about ‘code brown’ occurrences

1st July 2019 - US Centers for Disease Control issues warning over cryptosporidium in public pools 

12th March 2018 - Wellington region warning over cryptosporidiosis and swimming facilities

25th July 2018 - Poolwerx water safety initiative aims to save young lives

16th July 2018 - IQ Pool Solutions introduces ‘code brown’ treatment solution

20th October 2017 - Poolwerx Chairman inducted into Franchise Council of Australia Hall of Fame

19th January 2016 - Recreation SA urges swimmers to practice good personal hygiene amid record Cryptosporidium levels

5th August 2015 - How Invercargill’s Splash Palace handled the media during its ‘Code Brown’ crisis

13th December 2014 - Poolwerx study shows Australians unsure on commercial pool hygiene

28th November 2014 - Western Australian sea lions infected with high rate of Giardia

15th April 2013 - ARV to stage Cryptosporidium industry information session

26th March 2013 - Victoria records four-fold increase in Cryptosporidium in public pools

11th March 2010 - Cryptosporidium Outbreak in Canterbury

---

Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.

Click here to view our subscription options.