Illness Spreading At Pueblo County Pools

Health officials are warning parents and kids of an illness spreading at Pueblo pools.

Pueblo County Health Officials have confirmed casees of Cryptosporidium, more commonly known as Crypto. Officials said the people who tested positive for Crypto recently swam in the Walsenburg Wild Waters pool.

Officials said they are now placing warning signs at pools in the Pueblo County area.

“It is important for people who have been swimming in the past two weeks and are experiencing diarrhea and abdominal cramping to contact their doctor,” stated Jody Carrillo, division director of the Disease Prevention and Emergency Preparedness Division at the Pueblo City-County Health Department.

Crypto can be more severe for people with weakened immune systems, so health experts advise they avoid local pools.

Symptoms include diarrhea and abdominal cramping and can last for one to two weeks. Health experts said people with Crypto typically see symptoms with in one to 12 days.

Officials said stopping the germ from getting into the pool is essential because Crypto can stay alive for several days, even in well maintained pools.

Officials offered these prevention tips: 1. Don’t swim when you have diarrhea. You can spread germs in the water and make other people sick. 2. Don’t swallow the pool water. Avoid getting water in your mouth. 3. Practice good hygiene. Shower with soap before swimming and wash your hands after using the toilet or changing diapers. Germs on your body end up in the water.

Health experts also said parents with young kids should take their children for frequent bathroom breaks.