May 18--May 19-25 is National Recreational Water Illness Prevention Week.
This year's goal is to highlight the importance of healthy swimming behaviors to prevent recreational water illnesses. According to the Monongalia County Health Department, state and local health departments across the country investigated more recreational water illnesses in 2007 than ever before.
This upsurge is being driven by an increase in the number of outbreaks caused by Cryptosporidium, a chlorine resistant parasite, and is primarily associated with treated recreational water venues, such as pools and water parks. While seven outbreaks caused by the parasite were identified in 2004, the Centers for Disease Control has received at least 18 preliminary reports on such outbreaks for 2007. Germs on and in swimmers' bodies end up in the water and can make other people sick. Even healthy swimmers can be sickened by recreational water illnesses, but the young, elderly, pregnant women and immunosuppressed persons are especially at risk. To promote healthy swimming: Do not swim when you have diarrhea. Do not swallow pool water or get pool water in your mouth. Shower before swimming. Wash your hands after using the toilet or changing diapers. Take children on bathroom breaks or change diapers often. Change children's diapers in a bathroom, not at poolside. For more information about Recreational Water Illness Prevention Week and healthy swimming, visit cdc.gov/healthyswimming or www.monchd.org.
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