ATLANTA, Jun 11, 2009 (UPI via COMTEX) -- State and local governments should
consider taking precautions to prevent waterborne illness associated with splash
parks, U.S. health officials advise.
A report in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Mortality and
Morbidity Weekly Report said that splash parks are increasingly popular
recreational water venues where waterborne illness outbreaks can occur and
therefore local and state officials should consider requiring pre-construction
health department consultation, suitable disinfection technology, appropriate
hygiene facilities and education of splash park operators and the public.
"Splash parks are designed to allow young children, often non-toilet trained, to
play in the water with little risk for drowning," the report said. "Splash parks
are often easily accessible, unmonitored, free for visitors and unregulated."
The report describes an outbreak of cryptosporidiosis, a condition caused by
Cryptosporidium, a parasite that causes watery diarrhea. The outbreak occurred
at an unregulated splash park that lacked public health oversight, adequate
hygiene facilities, and ultraviolet disinfection technology, an effective
treatment against Cryptosporidium., the report said.
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