Parasites in Pools Are on the Rise

Most people think that the chlorine in swimming pools is sufficient to kill pathogens and parasites, think again!

I was on our honeymoon in Mexico 20 years ago and I went into the resort's swimming pool shortly after shaving. I ended up with impetigo on my face! That was not a good experience to say the least.

As bad as that sounds, it is pale in comparison to the diarrhea outbreaks that can occur after people go swimming in a pool and inadvertently swallowed contaminated water. This can be caused by cryptosporidium, or "crypto" for short. These diarrhea outbreaks have doubled in just a few years. The CDC reported that there were at least 32 known outbreaks due to crypto contamination in pools or water parks in 2016, while there were only 16 cases in 2014. Those 32 outbreaks that affected multiple individuals.

Reuters Reported; “Arizona last year reported that 352 people became sick with Cryptosporidiosis from July through October, compared with no more than 62 cases per year from 2011 to 2015. Ohio reported 1,940 infections in 2016, compared with no more than 571 in any one year from 2012 to 2015.”

Infections caused from the protozoan cryptosporidium, are the most common cause of diarrhea outbreaks. This is made worse, because the parasite can survive for as long as 10 days even in chlorinated water and cryptosporidium is very difficult to kill.

Since 2004, crypto cases have tripled. The CDC reports that the parasite is found in every region of the U.S. and throughout the world.

The symptoms include; stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting and/or watery diarrhea that can last up to two to three weeks. Dehydration is also very common.

Not just pools, but hot tubs, spas and other water venues, such as water parks can also pose a problem.

According to the CDC:

“Crypto may be found in water sources such as private wells that have been contaminated … Water can be contaminated through sewage overflows, sewage systems that are not working properly, polluted storm water runoff and agricultural runoff. Wells may be more vulnerable to such contamination after flooding, particularly if the wells are shallow, have been dug or bored, or have been submerged by floodwater for long periods of time.”

Norovirus, giardia, E. coli and shigella are other illness-causing microbes that may be found in public pools. Symptoms and problems can range from allergies to asthma, sinusitis to DNA damage.

The bottom line is that if you swim in a pool or visit a water park, don’t get water in your mouth and if you do, don't ever swallow it!

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