Arizona: Phoenix pool closures due to Cryptosporidium
Phoenix city officials have announced that all city pools will be closed after reports of 35 people who swam at Starlight Pool, including 14 from the pool staff, developing symptoms of cryptosporidium.The city of Phoenix says that while the water at all of its pools has been tested and "has continued to meet all water quality standards," it is taking extra precautions. To treat the pools, parks staff is super-chlorinating all of the pools to a level of 40 parts per million of chlorine and maintaining that level of chlorine for 40 hours. The Centers for Disease Control recommends 20 parts per million, but the City of Phoenix is using 40 parts per million to be safe.
Last summer Utah suffered an outbreak of cryptosporidium. Colorado has also suffered outbreaks. Hopefully this summer’s outbreak will be quickly contained and taken care of to avoid large numbers of sickness.
And of course, when using the bathroom at the pool, always wash your hands.
Trackbacks (1)
Links to blogs that reference this article
Trackback URL
http://barfblog.foodsafety.ksu.edu/admin/trackback/80001
http://barfblog.foodsafety.ksu.edu/admin/trackback/80001
BarfBlog -
August 6, 2008 12:35 AM
6-year-old Rosemary Stagaman of Richardson died last Tuesday morning in Dallas County. Health officials believe that the death was due to a cryptosporidium infection, but the medical examiner is still waiting on toxicology tests to determine the exact ...
Post A Comment / Question
Use this form to add a comment to this entry.
Send To A Friend
Use this form to send this entry to a friend via email.
Cryptosporidium can live in a bottle of chlorox bleach for four hours. 40 hours at 40ppm just sounds like they are hoping for Noah or Moses to lead them out.
I am the mother of two boys that are currently undergoing treatment for this illness. It can be a killer if you have a compromised immune system. Please don't take this outbreak lightly.
Good News...A drug by the name of Alinia (nitazoxinide)is FDA approved to treat Cryptosporidium...It's only a 3 day treatment and is indicated for kids and adults.
Where can I get my apartment complex's pool water tested?
Thank you
Mary T
Where can I get my apartment complex's pool water tested?
Thank you
Mary T
Mary Tomlin - To test the water of a community pool, you can simply take a glass of pool water to a nearby pool store. I'd recommend calling ahead to make sure they do it, but most pool stores will analyze water that is brought in to determine the chlorine concentration. I don't know if they analyze for crypto, but they should be able to recommend you to a place that will.
Over 3000 people were made sick from crypto at a spraypark in Upstate NY in 2005. There is now a class action suit against the State alleging negligence maintenance among other things...
Mary,
I have developed a rapid test for Crypto and will be happy to test your pools water. I am currently working with Pool Supply Stores to distribute the test kits. You will need a pump to filter about 3 gallons of water and send the filter to my lab. Go to your local pool supply store and ask them if they will rent you a peristaltic pump. The kit is ~$30 for the collection kit. Let me know if you have more questions, or refer to the webpage attached.
http://www.pathcon.com/variables/Cryptonite-Web.pdf
Paul
Washing your hands after using the bathroom is NOT enough for safe pool usage. Showering with hot water and soap is needed before entering the pool and after using the toliet during a swimming session.