Diarrhea outbreak linked to parasite found in pools is spreading throughout southern US state READ MORE: How to tell if you've been infected with cryptosporidium Do you have a health story? Email us at health@dailymail.com By Cassidy Morrison Senior Health Reporter For Dailymail.Com Published: 16:19, 20 August 2024 | Updated: 16:27, 20 August 2024 e-mail View comments An outbreak of diarrhea-causing parasitic illness linked to swimming pools is sweeping across Northern Kentucky .
The Northern Kentucky Health Department has confirmed about a dozen cases of cryptosporidiosis in the region, and many of the peopled confirmed to be sick had visited pools in their area. The parasite that causes crypto, Cryptosporidium hominins, is highly resistant to chlorine, the quintessential ingredient in keeping pools clean. Normal concentrations of the chemical in swimming pools do not destroy it.
The outbreak’s point of origin is still unknown, but a family recreation center with pools and waterslides called Silverlake in Erlanger, Kentucky, had to close down in order to boost chlorine levels and kill any remains of the parasite. Silverlake, a family pool and fitness club in Erlanger, Kentucky reopened recently after having to ramp up chlorination in its pools to kill off the crypto parasite making people sick A person infected with the parasite passes infectious spores in their feces. Another becomes sick when they accidentally touch or swallow infected fecal matter.
When ingested, these .