Big return likely for pesky pool parasite

Utah health officials may impose new restrictions

The parasite that affected many Utahns in 2007 may rear its ugly head in 2008, because it takes more than one year to get rid of it.

For about 2,000 Utahns, the summer of 2007 was one to remember, though not for the warm days, barbecues and parades.

It was time to be alone, in the bathroom, with a case of cryptosporidiosis, a pesky bout of diarrhea lasting up to two weeks.

The parasite cryptosporidium, which usually makes its way into the body after someone ingests untreated water, went on a rampage throughout Utah this year at public swimming pools.

On average, Utah sees about 14 cases of the disease per year, according to Davis County epidemiologist Brian Hatch.

But 2007 had the largest outbreak on record for Utah, according to a statement from state epidemiologist Dr. Robert Rolfs.

The most recent count was 1,963 cases, Hatch said.

The actual numbers of infected people, however, could have been much higher, he said, because studies show only 2 percent to 5 percent of cases are reported to health officials.

Between 37,000 to 93,000 people could have been infected this year, Hatch said.

The infection led to various restrictions.

Children under 5 years old were banned from public swimming pools in August, pool operators instituted hyperchlorination, and many pools closed early in the season.

Swimming restrictions were lifted Nov. 14, but health officials urged the public to follow some guidelines, especially as swimming continues at indoor facilities.

Anyone who has had diarrhea should refrain from swimming for two weeks after the symptoms have ended. People should shower before and after swimming and should take care to not ingest pool water.

Children should go for regular bathroom breaks, and diapers should be checked often.

Health departments will continue to monitor cases, and restrictions could be imposed if the numbers climb.

One of the possible restrictions is the banning of diapered children from swimming in public pools.

Davis County Health Department director Lewis Garrett, whose department was the first to realize what caused the outbreak, said he believes diapered children should be banned from swimming, but he counts himself in the minority on that opinion.

Other options could include some of the restrictions placed on swimmers in 2007:

• Child care centers were asked to avoid recreational water activities.

• Pools were told to use higher chlorination levels.

• Children under 5 were banned from pools.

The Utah Department of Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local health departments are working on further steps to preventing a recurrence of 2007's outbreak and expect to have a set of guidelines to be available in early 2008.

"We really anticipate seeing this next year," Hatch said.

Utah County Health Department director Joseph Miner made the same prediction in September.

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E-mail: jdougherty@desnews.com

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