Home HEALTH HEALTH ALERT: Parasite outbreak tied to Colorado hot springs pool – KKTV 11 News

HEALTH ALERT: Parasite outbreak tied to Colorado hot springs pool – KKTV 11 News

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HEALTH ALERT: Parasite outbreak tied to Colorado hot springs pool – KKTV 11 News

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Updated: Thu 7:35 PM, Sep 12, 2019

GARFIELD COUNTY, Colo. (KKTV) – Health officials are alerting the public of a parasite outbreak tied to the Glenwood Hot Springs Resort pool.

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment alongside Garfield County Public Health are investigating reported cases of cryptosporidiosis. There have been four confirmed cases of the microscopic parasite that causes the diarrheal disease.

Health officials believe the cases are tied to people who visited Glenwood Hot Springs Resort pool since mid-August of this year.

While this parasite can be spread in several different ways, water (drinking water and recreational water) is the most common way to spread the parasite.

SYMPTOMS AND INDIVIDUAL PRECAUTIONS:

•The average incubation period is seven days, with a range of two to 10 days.

•Symptoms include watery diarrhea, abdominal pain/cramps, nausea, vomiting, fever, and weight loss. Symptoms usually last from one to two weeks. People with weakened immune systems may have more severe and prolonged symptoms.

•Most people with healthy immune systems recover without treatment.

•People with weakened immune systems should consult with a health care provider.

Individuals presenting signs of illness should not swim in any bodies of water while experiencing symptoms and for at least two weeks after diarrhea stops. Immersion in the water may be enough to transmit the parasite to others. Water contaminated in this manner has resulted in outbreaks of cryptosporidiosis among recreational water users.

OTHER PRECAUTIONS:

•Staying at home from work if you are ill.

•Avoiding sexual practices that might result in oral exposure to stool.

•Avoiding close contact with anyone who has a weakened immune system.

•Children with diarrhea should be excluded from childcare settings until diarrhea has stopped for at least 24 hours.

•Wash hands frequently with soap and water.

11 News reached out to Glenwood Hot Springs Resort for comment and more information.

WHAT IS CRYPTO AND HOW CAN IT AFFECT ME

Information from the CDC

“Crypto” (krip-TOE), short for Cryptosporidium, is a germ that causes diarrhea. This germ is found in the fecal matter of a person who has been infected by Crypto. It has a tough outer shell that allows it to survive for a long time in the environment. It can survive for days even in properly chlorinated pools.

Crypto is one of the most common causes of recreational water illness (disease caused by germs spread through pool water) in the United States and can cause prolonged diarrhea (for 1–2 weeks)

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