Health & Fitness - Chlorine-resistant bug threatens swimmers

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Chlorine-resistant bug threatens swimmers

ATLANTA (UPI) -- The national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta is focusing on ways to fight a chlorine-resistant parasite in U.S. pools and water parks.

Called Cryptosporidium, or crypto for short, the parasite is found in human and animal feces and is easily transmitted through water, The Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday.

When ingested, crypto can cause diarrhea, abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, headaches and low-grade fever for as long as two weeks.

Outbreaks have been increasing over the past two decades prompting the CDC to work with industry representatives and public health officials to develop a new set of water-safety guidelines.

Jonathan Yoder of the CDC says the fact that chlorine doesn't kill crypto requires both swimmers and pool officials to shift their thinking.

"It's important for them to understand they can transmit illness when they swim when they're ill," Yoder said.

Some water parks, like Seven Peaks in Provo, Utah, have installed ultraviolet systems that can kill crypto and other parasites.

Copyright 2008 by United Press International

This news arrived on: 07/30/2008

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