Protecting Yourself and Your Family from Recreational Water Illnesses
State and local health departments across the country investigated more recreational water illness (RWI) outbreaks in 2007 than ever before. This upsurge is being driven by an increase in the number of RWI outbreaks caused by Cryptosporidium or “Crypto”, a chlorine resistant parasite, and is primarily associated with treated recreational water venues such as pools and water parks.
Awareness of these illnesses and healthy swimming behaviors play an important role in stopping their transmission from person to person. Germs on and in swimmers’ bodies end up in the water and can make other people sick. Even healthy swimmers can get sick, but the young, elderly, pregnant women and immunosuppressed persons are especially at risk. Specific actions you can take to promote healthy swimming include:
- Do not swim when you have diarrhea
- Do not swallow pool water or get pool water in your mouth
- Shower before swimming - children too!
- Wash your hands after using the toilet or changing diapers
- Take children on bathroom breaks or change diapers often
- Change children’s diapers in a bathroom, not at poolside
To make this summer a healthy swimming experience, the Health District and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention urge swimmers to continue to enjoy swimming, but only after adopting healthy swimming behaviors to reduce the risk of recreational water illnesses.
Healthy Swimming Brochure (pdf)
Updated: 05/19/2008