ATLANTA — The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says outbreaks of a parasitic infection linked to swimming pools are increasing, with twice as many outbreaks recorded in 2016 as in 2014.
Cryptosporidium, commonly known as Crypto, is a microscopic parasite that causes diarrheal disease cryptosporidiosis.
Even in properly chlorinated water, the parasite can survive up to 10 days. Swallowing just a mouthful of water with Crypto can make healthy people sick for weeks. It can cause stomach cramps, nausea, diarrhea and can lead to dehydration.
The only way to get rid of the parasite is by treating the water with extremely high levels of chlorine that are dangerous for swimmers.
“To help protect your family and friends from Crypto and other diarrhea-causing germs, do not swim or let your kids swim if sick with diarrhea,” said Michele Hlavsa, R.N., M.P.H., chief of CDC’s Healthy Swimming Program said in a press release. “Protect yourself from getting sick by not swallowing the water in which you swim.”
Ohio was one of the states with the most reported cases. A total of 1,940 people fell ill due to the infection in 2016.
