Cryptosporidium is a parasite that is transmitted when people consume substances that have been infected with fecal matter. People in New York should be aware that the number of yearly reported Cryptosporidium outbreaks caused by swimming pools doubled to 32 between 2014 and 2016, according to early data from the Centers for Disease Control.
Crypto is the main cause of illnesses and outbreaks related to diarrhea associated with water playgrounds and pools. This is primarily because it is very difficult to kill with chlorine and able to survive in properly treated water for up to 10 days. A mere mouthful of water infected with Crypto can sicken healthy people for up to three weeks with vomiting, stomach cramps, nausea and watery diarrhea. These symptoms can cause the affected individuals to become dehydrated.
To avoid Crypto and other germs that cause diarrheas, individuals should not swim while they are ill. Before getting in the water, swimmers should rinse off in the shower to remove any germs on the body that could infect the water. They should also make sure not to consume any swimming water.
Typical levels of chlorine, along with additional pool disinfectants, are able to destroy most germs within a matter of minutes. However, this does not work for Crypto, which has to be treated by having the swimming pools closed and then treated with hyperchlorination, or very high amounts of chlorine.
A personal injury attorney may file a premises liability suit on behalf of an individual who has been injured on another person’s property. Financial compensation may be obtained for injuries sustained from icy sidewalks, inadequate security, wet floors, poor lighting or a lack of property repair.
