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The US Government's Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported an ongoing rise in the occurence of the cryptosporidium fecal parasite in swimming pools.

Advising that the number of summertime parasitic outbreaks has been increasing steadily every year since 2009, the CDC advise that cryptosporidium is the leading cause of disease outbreaks in the UAS. linked to water, specifically in swimming pools or water playgrounds.

The newly published report, Cryptosporidiosis Outbreaks - United States, 2009-2017, reveals that outbreaks of cryptosporidiosis rose an average of 13% every year from 2009 to 2017, with most cases reported in the northern hemisphere months of July and August.

While the CDC recommend that anyone suffering diarrhea should avoid swimming until at least two weeks after their diarrhea subsides, 24% of American say they'd jump in a swimming pool within an hour of having diarrhea, according to a survey released last month by the Water Quality & Health Council.

The findings has prompted the World Waterpark Association (WWA) to urge "member facilities to read the report and prepare for possible queries from local media." 

Advising that the report has received wide media coverage from CNN to Forbes, WWA to suggest responses "to this issue should you be contacted".

The responses include:

• Be ready to educate a media representative or a parent on the procedures your facility follows to clean and monitor the water and filtration systems
• Follow all state and local health department regulations
• Make sure you have signage in place educating guests on the need to shower before pool entry and not swimming when they are sick or have diarrhea
• Talk to your staff about who should swim and who should not swim and what age child should be in a swim diaper
• Talk to your cleaning and maintenance staff about the role they play in keeping the facility and the water swim-ready
• Go to the CDC's Healthy Swimming website and see their information for Aquatics Professionals, especially their 12 Steps For Prevention Of Recreational Water Illnesses document
• Be prepared to discuss with the media how you implement these steps on a daily basis -- remember that this is your opportunity to share with moms and dads who read these stories all the things you do to prevent recreational water illnesses.

Related Articles

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

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

28th December 2017 - Research finds high rates of respiratory problems among indoor lifeguards

28th November 2017 - Warning over ‘ticking time bombs’ in handling and storing pool chemicals

23rd June 2017 - Cryptosporidium cases lead to closure of Marlborough Lines Stadium 2000 Aquatic Centre

21st October 2016 - Polin Waterparks honoured with World Waterpark Association award

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

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

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

14th October 2012 - Yas Waterworld takes home World Waterpark Association’s inaugural Leading Edge Award

19th November 2011 - Centaman celebrates World Waterpark Association innovation award

27th February 2009 - Cryptosporidium Infection hits 200 in Sydney

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