|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready… |
An August outbreak of cryptosporidiosis (crypto) has been linked to a popular indoor pool in Bothell.
Public Health Seattle-King County announced Sept. 30 that they had investigated the outbreak associated with the pool at McMenamins Anderson School, suspecting that the illness has spread to 14 cases after someone infected with crypto had spent time in the pool and spreading germs that went on to infect other people. The exposure dates were Aug. 29 to Aug. 30, 2026.
Crypto is a “diarrhea-causing disease that is spread through germs that live in the poop of infected people or animals. When a person swallows cryptosporidium, or “crypto” germs, they can become infected,” according to the Center of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Sometimes, those who are infected do not experience symptoms.
According the investigation report, Public Health determined that “the pool at McMenamins is well-maintained and the facility follows King County’s health and safety requirements. Even in a very well-maintained swimming pool, Cryptosporidium is very resistant to chlorine, so if someone infected with Cryptosporidium uses the pool, the parasite can survive for several days.”
Symptoms generally begin 2-10 days, with an average of seven days, after infection. Symptoms can last one to two weeks. Most people with healthy immune systems will recover from crypto without treatment, which means that contacting a healthcare provider is important if someone suspects they may have crypto.
The CDC advises that the best way to prevent the spread of crypto in the home is to practice good hygiene: Wash hands with soap and water, especially after using the toilet, before eating or preparing food, drinks or ice and after changing diapers.
Crypto is considered to be very common, with over 800,000 cases each year in the US. From the report, laboratory testing was performed for five individuals who were exhibiting symptoms after spending time in the McMenamins pool at the time of exposure: Four were diagnosed with crypto.
PREVENTION
Public Health advises the following guidance to prevent recreational water illnesses like crypto, pseudomonas and legionella:
• Don’t go to a pool if you’re sick!
It is recommended to not use a public pool when sick and for at least 2 weeks after being sick. Symptoms of concern include fever, diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, abdominal cramps, upper respiratory infections, staphylococcal or pseudomonas skin infections, and conjunctivitis.
• Protect pools from contamination
Infants, small children and other incontinent users need to wear tight-fitting, waterproof liners around diapers. Some facilities are now providing such plastic, rubber or vinyl pants at their facility.
• Take a shower
Take a shower with soap before entering the pool.
• Don’t drink pool water
Do not intentionally swallow a lot of pool water as it increases the chance of swallowing disease causing germs.
• Speak up if something’s wrong
If you see an issue with bodily contaminants in the pool, notify the pool operator immediately. If you think you got sick from a pool, spa, or other regulated recreational water facility (not beaches), submit a complaint at: King County’s Public Health Service Request Access. Note that you need to select, “Don’t see what you’re looking for? Create a new request,” then scroll to “Water Rec Facility Complaint” in the “Request Type” box.
