Nearly 1,000 people have fallen ill in Ohio following an end of summer Cryptosporidium outbreak plaguing three counties.
Last week, the number of sick people grew to 937 confirmed cases and most track back to exposure at local recreational water facilities, according to Outbreak News. Ohio has the most recorded cases of Crypto for the year, outpacing Arizona’s outbreak that affected more than 200 people in August.
Cryptosporidium is an increasingly common recreational water illness that causes severe illness and can lead to hospitalization or even death. The protozoan is introduced to public pools through fecal matter, and chlorine at safe swimming levels doesn’t effectively destroy it. Many pools are now opting for secondary sanitation systems like Clear Comfort that destroy Crypto and offer swimmers additional protection beyond chlorine.
The Ohio outbreak has not been tied to a single location, and those who have been diagnosed have swam in pools and other aquatic facilities across three counties. As the outbreak continues, health officials are recommending people follow safety measures to prevent spreading the illness further.
- Don’t swim when you have diarrhea or stomach illness.
- Always shower before entering the pool.
- Wash hands frequently with soap and water.
- Change diapers in a bathroom (not next to the pool).
- Ensure children take frequent bathroom breaks.
- Check swim diapers often.
- Avoid swallowing water.
