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(CNN) – Health authorities are asking Americans to take precautions regarding reports that "crypto", a fecal parasite that can be transmitted through swimming pools, is on the rise.
The full name of the parasite is cryptosporidium. It causes cryptosporidiosis, which can leave healthy adults suffering from "abundant watery diarrhea" for three weeks. The effects may be more severe for children, pregnant women and those with compromised immune systems.
"The number of outbreaks related to recreational use treated caused by Cryptosporidium is at the origin of the summer seasonal peak, both for epidemics of waterborne cryptosporidiosis as well as for cryptosporidiosis outbreaks in general" according to a statement from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Although it is almost never fatal, one death has been reported since 2009, according to the CDC. In addition, 287 people were hospitalized between 2009 and 2017, says the CDC.
A CDC report released on June 28 explains why health officials are alarmed:
- Between 2009 and 2017, 444 outbreaks of cryptosporidiosis were reported in 40 states and Puerto Rico.
- The epidemics killed 7,465 people.
- Recreational water – mainly swimming pools, but also children's pools and aquatic playgrounds – was responsible for 156, more than a third of the cases.
- Untreated water (such as lakes) and drinking water caused 22 more cases.
- Eighty-six cases were in contact with animals, mainly cattle.
- Another 57 cases were associated with childcare facilities.
- Twenty-two cases were of dietary origin, most involving unpasteurized milk or apple cider.
- Most cases were reported in July and August and 2016 was a record year for outbreaks with more than 80.
- The number of cases has increased on average by 12.8% per year between 2009 and 2017.
The CDC adds two caveats to the numbers, which, in its view, underestimate the number of actual cases and outbreaks: outbreak cases may be the result of a new test technology, and the requirements and the ability to detect, investigate and report cases vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction.
It should also be noted that one of the deaths due to cryptosporidiosis occurred in the only case where the parasite was transmitted to hospital.
In pools, Cryptosporidium can enter the body when a swimmer swallows contaminated water.
The parasite is a problem in pools because an infected swimmer can excrete it several times more in magnitude than the amount needed to cause the infection. Cryptosporidium has a high chlorine tolerance and can survive up to seven days in a properly chlorinated pool, the CDC says.
There are preventative measures that can help reduce the number of outbreaks and the CDC is using it to educate the public about it.
According to the CDC, children with diarrhea should not be placed in a day care center. After an epidemic of cryptosporidiosis, educators should clean surfaces with hydrogen peroxide because bleach is an ineffective way to kill the parasite.
People who come in contact with livestock should wash their hands thoroughly and remove their shoes or clothing to avoid contaminating other environments, such as their homes.
Regarding swimming pools, anyone with diarrhea should avoid swimming at least two weeks after the disappearance of diarrhea, said the CDC.
This last point is the most important, according to 24% of Americans who say they want to jump into a pool an hour after having diarrhea, according to a survey published in May by the Water Quality & Health Council.
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