August Sees Pools Closures After Water Parasite Spawns Illne

August in Philadelphia can be hot and this summer was no exception.  Families flocked to public pools to seek relief from the summer’s heat.  Unfortunately, the sparkling waters they came to enjoy made some pool patrons very sick. 

In Montgomery County the water parasite, cryptosporidium, sickened at least 36 people.  The health department closed more pools in an attempt to stem the tide of infected people.  Cryptosporidium is a parasite borne illness that is spread by fecal matter.  One of the major problems with this parasite is that it cannot be killed by the level of chlorine required in swimming pools and can even survive in some drinking water.  One child, age 11, was taken to the hospital where he spent three days after swimming in an infected pool. 

Those infected with the parasite experience extreme and watery diarrhea.  This makes the likelihood of spreading the disease even greater.  Those at increased risk of a cryptosporidium outbreak include children and their caregivers, particularly if the children are still in diapers, international travelers, anyone swimming in an infected body of water, and anyone who drinks from contaminated sources.  Anyone infected should not swim for at least two weeks to help minimize the chances of exposing others to the parasite.  Extra care should be taken to wash hands thoroughly, especially if one is working with children or adults who use diapers.

It would be a comfort, however inconvenient, to think that if a person stayed away from pools and washed their hands often, they could avoid this tough parasite.  However, there have been documented cases of drinking water contaminated by the cryptosporidium parasite.  One such outbreak took place in Milwaukee and sickened more that 400,000 people.  Public water filtration systems can help stop the parasites from entering our drinking water but the filter used must use at least a micro-filtration system.  This type of filtration does an adequate job of straining out the tiny parasite. 

Most public water treatment plants use a standard filtration system which does not fully protect against these tiny parasites.  One way to avoid infection through drinking water would be to invest in a home filtration system that used micro-filtration or ultra-filtration.  This can be a very expensive undertaking for the average homeowner.

Some ways to help avoid outbreaks in public water systems are to improve state and federal reporting of cases of cryptosporidiosis, identify outbreaks and locate their source, and install higher levels of filtration in public water facilities.  One should feel safe when enjoying a pool or any public gathering place.  If you have been made sick or have been injured and believe that you were not protected against these injuries, please call Dan Monahan at (610) 363-3888.

The Monahan Law Practice
300 North Pottstown Pike
Suite 210
Exton, PA 19341-2233

Phone: (610) 363-3888
Fax: (610) 363-2429