Published: August 04, 2008 03:23 pm      

Shock the crypto

Parks officials say routine maintenance efforts, like chemical shock, keeps pool safe from parasite

CORRECTION: Initially this article reported that the death of the child occurred after she swam "in a Frisco pool." That information was not accurate as it has not been determined if she died from the parasite or from where she might have contracted it. The Index regrets the error and any inconvenience it caused.



By Libby Cluett
lcluett@mineralwellsindex.com

Although the parasite known has crypto is attributed to sickened more than 100 swimmers in North Texas recently, Mineral Wells Parks and Recreation Superintendent Donnie Hoover said there’s little for locals to be concerned about.

The parasitic infection cryptosporidiosis is not new, “It’s been around for two or three years,” said Hoover.

But media reports indicate this year’s numbers of the illness, related to swimming, are dramatically higher than in years past.

On Monday, a 6-year-old Richardson girl died. Although crypto is a suspect, according to media reports, the Dallas County medical examiner’s office is currently determining the cause of death. The girl’s father told The Dallas Morning News that she did swim but he did not know what killed her.

This contagious diarrheal disease is caused by a microscopic parasite that can live in the intestine of humans and animals and is passed in the stool of an infected person or animal.

Although they have no confirmed cases of cryptosporidiosis, Frisco is joining the list of North Texas cities taking steps to treat city-run pools for the parasite. The city closed its municipal pools Thursday evening while staff ‘super chlorinates’ – adding high doses of chlorine to the pool.

The water in all 28 public swim and spray facilities in Dallas will be “hyperchlorinated” as a precaution.

Hoover said several factors could contribute to increased reports of crypto throughout the Metroplex. He said those getting sick could be people who actually swam in and contracted the illness in a place like Burger’s Lake then swam in a city pool.

The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported at least 67 crypto-related cases connected to Burger’s Lake in Fort Worth had been confirmed.

Officials said high levels of chlorine could help kill one of the causes of the waterborne disease.

According to Hoover, it’s not typical for someone to contract crypto in a city pool, especially one that shocks its pools once each week.

“It’s not going to be an issue [in Mineral Wells],” said Hoover. “We are closed on Sundays for that purpose, so we can shock the pool with chemical treatments.”

“City pools operate under strict guidelines determined by the Texas Department of Health,” he said.

“I would be more concerned with hotel and motel pools rather than a city pool,” he said. “I do not feel it’s any concern for ours.”

Hoover also noted that this summer’s “excessive heat and sunshine for a long time without clouds” mean staff must be sure to monitor pool water in the afternoon, since chlorine breaks down in the sun.

“We take excellent care of our pool,” Hoover said. “We monitor it every two hours when we’re open.”

The Associated Press contributed to this article.