State and local health departments Tuesday extended for at least two more weeks the swimming restrictions that bar children under 5 from public pools.

Restrictions were announced in late August to deal with a statewide outbreak of illness caused by the parasite cryptosporidium, most often spread by swimming pools. There have been 1,300 confirmed cases of the resulting illness, cryptosporidiosis, this year — 30 a year is typical — with those infected suffering long-lasting, often debilitating diarrhea.

More people have been hospitalized with cryptosporidium — 39 so far this year — than the usual total number of cases in a year.

Because it takes about 18 days from exposure to cryptosporidium to illness, testing and confirmation provided to the state, health officials say they don't know yet whether the restrictions have done enough. So they'll leave the ban in place for two more weeks to see if the number of cases drops.

"We think we will have determined a better picture in two weeks," said Rich Lakin, disease investigation and management program manager in the Utah Department of Health. "Right now, it's too soon to tell."

The ban, as well as tougher rules for super-chlorinating pools weekly to combat the parasite, applies to Box Elder, Cache, Carbon, Davis, Emery, Grand, Juab, Millard, Morgan, Piute, Rich, Salt Lake, San Juan, Sanpete, Sevier, Summit, Tooele, Utah, Wasatch, Wayne and Weber counties.

Some counties believe they have seen a decrease, but they need the extra two weeks to verify it. "We really think we're seeing a decrease," said Pamela Davenport of the Salt Lake Valley Health Department.

Although pool contamination has received most of the attention, health officials also say they're seeing more person-to-person contamination. The best way to combat that, Lakin said, is thorough hand-washing.

"If you're sick, you need to make sure you overstimulate the whole washing hands issue, keeping things clean, good hygiene," he said. "I can't tell you how important washing hands is."

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said it's important to avoid swallowing pool water and emphasized the importance of not going swimming when you have diarrhea or for two weeks afterward. It's also important to take a shower before swimming (parents should help children scrub with soap) and wash your hands thoroughly every time you go to the bathroom or change a diaper — something that should never be done at poolside.

While most of the cases have involved children, many adults have become sick from the hard-shelled parasite, as well.

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