However, The CDC is warning residents about the rise of a dangerous parasite, crypto, that is found in pools.
“It’s very scary,” said Michelle Harbaum of Fairfield.
From 2009 to 2017, there were about 7,500 cases in 40 states, including Ohio.
“That is certainly a concern,” said Dan Suffoletto of Public Health Dayton and Montgomery County.
There have been five reported cases of the parasite in 2019, he said, but none of the cases came from swimming pools, like the CDC report warns of.
Suffoletto said people still need to be careful while taking a dip to not drink the water.
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“It causes prolonged diarrhea and the diarrhea can lead to dehydration and other problems,” he said.
The parasite can last in water for seven days — even in a chlorinated pool.
Swimmers should make sure to wash their hands when they get out of the pool and before they eat anything, Suffoletto said.
It doesn’t matter how well a pool is maintained, he said, because crypto can get into the water.
“A pool can be perfectly chlorinated and perfectly accepted to use,” said Suffoletto. “However, when the parasite gets into the water, it takes a longer time for that chlorine to reach to it and kill it. So anyone would be at risk at that point when they’re in the pool during that time period.”
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However, there are things you can do to keep yourself and others safe.
“We want to make sure that you’re not using the restroom in the pool,” Suffoletto said. “That you’re not using the pool for up to two weeks after having diarrhea.”