CHLORINE FAILS TO PROTECT SWIMMERS FROM DISEASE

Cryptosporidium is difficult to battle because it is highly resistant to chlorine. It is the leading cause of waterborne diseases for people in the U.S. – Service Industry News 9-30-16

Toxoplasma and Cryptosporidium oocysts are highly resistant to chlorine disinfection. – CDC.gov

You can read the full article from Service Industry News below.

Hundreds of people in Ohio and Arizona were infected with cryptosporidium this summer, linked to recreational water facilities, public health officials said.

In September, more than 600 people in Columbus, Franklin, and Delaware, Ohio, were infected with the parasite. The patients reported exposure to multiple aquatic venues, meaning the outbreak was not tied to a single location.

The number of cases tripled in three weeks, making it the largest outbreak in 15 years. Normally, Ohio reports around 400 cases annually, yet over half of these cases affected individuals under 18.

Health officials urged pool operators to hyper-chlorinate their facilities. In mid-August, city health departments requested all community pools in Columbus and Franklin County to maintain chlorine at 20 ppm for at least 12 hours.

Despite pool closures and chemical treatments, the outbreak continued to escalate: 100 cases on Aug. 11, 200 cases on Aug. 18, 400 cases on Aug. 30, and 600 cases by Sept. 8. Officials anticipated further increases before the numbers would decline.

Meanwhile, in August, over 100 people in Maricopa County, Arizona, were infected with cryptosporidium, affecting at least 20 community swimming pools. County officials declined to identify specific facilities but pointed to splash pads, water parks, and public pools as potential sources.

Dr. Rebecca Sunenshine, Maricopa County’s medical director, noted the difficulty in detecting cryptosporidium in water, as there is no reliable test to trace its source.

The reported 100 cases were likely only a fraction of the actual cases, as many infected individuals do not show symptoms or seek medical attention.

Because the parasite spreads easily, particularly in public pools, many more could have been unknowingly infected.

According to public health official Courtney Kreuzewiesnr, children were the most affected group in Arizona. The flu-like symptoms of cryptosporidium last between one to four weeks, though most people recover without medical intervention.

Cryptosporidium remains highly resistant to chlorine, making it the leading cause of waterborne diseases in the U.S. – Service Industry News 9-30-16