CDC sounded the alarm: US swimming pools and water parks are overflowing with faecal parasites

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warns that the number of fecal parasites in public pools is increasing. These parasites can cause severe diarrhea and are very tenacious.

Фото: Depositphotos

In summer, public swimming pools are very popular - they are a great way to cool off in the heat, writes New York Post. Fans of such bathing risk to become infected with cryptosporidine, a parasite that causes a disease called cryptosporidiosis.

Cryptosporidium, when ingested, can lead to "profuse, watery diarrhea" in healthy adults. The disease lasts about three weeks.

“The number of waterborne cryptosporidiosis outbreaks forms a seasonal peak during the summer—including outbreaks in which the parasite was acquired through water as well as general outbreaks of the disease overall,” the CDC said.

On the subject: A woman cut her leg on a Florida beach and died from a terrible infection.

Although the disease is almost never fatal, one death has been reported since 2009. Between 2009 and 2017, 287 people were hospitalized. Over time, the agency says, cryptosporidiosis outbreaks are increasing in size by about 13% each year—and the number of cases is continually rising. The agency said exposure to the parasite in pools and water parks resulted in 7 cases during that time.

Cryptosporidium is usually spread by people—especially children—who go to a public pool or water park too soon after having diarrhea.

The main routes of infection are ingestion of contaminated water in hot tubs, swimming pools or water playgrounds, and contact with contaminated meat suppliers in child care facilities.

Unlike most microbes, which are destroyed within a few minutes by disinfectants such as chlorine or bromine, cryptosporidium can survive in chlorinated water for more than a week.

In addition to watery diarrhea, symptoms of infection include stomach cramps or pain, dehydration, nausea, vomiting, fever, and weight loss. Life-threatening exhaustion and dehydration can occur in people with a weakened immune system.

On the subject: 12 the most dangerous insects in the US, and how to protect yourself

For those suffering from diarrhea, the agency strongly recommends avoiding swimming for at least two weeks after recovery.

"Unlike norovirus or E. coli, which cause diarrhea or vomiting for a couple of days, you can have diarrhea for up to three weeks," said Michelle Hlavsa, director of the CDC's Healthy Swimming Program and one of the study's authors. "It's not fun."

“The best thing we can do to protect ourselves from cryptosporidium is not to swallow the water we swim in,” Hlavsa said. — First of all, we must not allow parasites to get into the pool. This means we should not swim ourselves or allow a child to swim when we have diarrhea.”

The specialist recommended reading the results of water inspections on the website of the local or state health department.

Read also on ForumDaily:

A woman cut her leg on a Florida beach and died from a terrible infection.

In Florida, a father jumped over an 1,2-meter fence to save a drowned son. VIDEO

12 the most dangerous insects in the US, and how to protect yourself

Dozens of new cases: measles outbreak in the USA has become the worst for 27 years

Do you want more important and interesting news about life in the USA and immigration to America? — support us donate! Also subscribe to our page Facebook. Select the “Priority in display” option and read us first. Also, don't forget to subscribe to our РєР ° РЅР ° Р »РІ Telegram  and Instagram- there is a lot of interesting things there. And join thousands of readers ForumDaily New York — there you will find a lot of interesting and positive information about life in the metropolis.