Seven cases in Sedgwick County have been reported to KDHE within the past seventeen days. With the upcoming holiday weekend, health officials are urging swimmers to take precautions in all types of recreational waters, including chlorine-treated swimming pools.

All public swimming pools in Wichita are not affected, since they were already closed for the season last weekend. All interactive fountains located in city parks and Old Town will be shut down as soon as possible as a preventative measure. Decorative fountains will continue to operate, and citizens are advised to observe the prohibition against entering those fountains.

Some private pools have closed because of the outbreak, according to City officials.

Cryptosporidiosis, or Crypto, is a very contagious disease and has become recognized as one of the most common causes of waterborne illness within humans in the United States. It can be spread person-to-person through feces. Once a person is infected with the parasite, the parasite lives in the intestine and passes in the stool.

The most common symptom of Crypto is watery diarrhea. Other symptoms include dehydration, weight loss, stomach cramps or pain, fever, nausea, and vomiting. Persons experiencing these symptoms should contact their doctor.

Kay Johnson, Director of Environmental Services, suggests the following measures to prevent infection:

• Do not swim for two weeks after the diarrhea has stopped. Protect others by not swimming if experiencing diarrhea.

• Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water after using the toilet and before handling or eating food. If you are ill or experiencing symptoms, do not prepare food for yourself or others.

• Wash hands after every diaper change, even if you are wearing gloves.

• Avoid swallowing pool or lake water when swimming.

• Avoid drinking untreated water from shallow wells, lakes, rivers, springs, ponds, and streams.

• Wash and/or peel all raw vegetables and fruits before eating.

Sedgwick County Health Department will continue to investigate this reported illness outbreak.

Cryptosporidium is very chlorine resistant and is not killed with normal chlorine treatment in swimming pools, or with typical shock chlorination treatments. For specific information on how to treat pools for Crypto: visit the website http://library2.municode.com/mcc/DocView/14166/1/147/161#0-0-0-3251, or call the Environmental Services Department at 268-8351.

For additional information on how to protect oneself against Crypto and other waterborne illnesses: http://www.cdc.gov/healthyswimming/

For additional information, email inquiries can be made to Kay Johnson, Department of Environmental Services Director (kjohnson@wichita.gov).

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