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Thirty ill in pool bug outbreak Thirty ill from pool bug outbreak
(10 minutes later)
An outbreak of the cryptosporidium bug is being investigated after around 30 adults and children who attended a pool party became ill.An outbreak of the cryptosporidium bug is being investigated after around 30 adults and children who attended a pool party became ill.
Eight of the cases have been confirmed as having the stomach bug, which causes diarrhoea. They had been to Merthyr Tydfil Leisure Centre two weeks ago.Eight of the cases have been confirmed as having the stomach bug, which causes diarrhoea. They had been to Merthyr Tydfil Leisure Centre two weeks ago.
Merthyr and Rhondda Cynon Taf councils are investigating, along with National Public Health Service for Wales (NPHS).Merthyr and Rhondda Cynon Taf councils are investigating, along with National Public Health Service for Wales (NPHS).
They said a likely cause was a "faecal accident" in one of the three pools.They said a likely cause was a "faecal accident" in one of the three pools.
Cryptosporidium, a parasite found in man and animals, can be transmitted by water supplies.Cryptosporidium, a parasite found in man and animals, can be transmitted by water supplies.
It causes illness that can last several weeks, and is potentially fatal in the elderly, very young and those in poor health.It causes illness that can last several weeks, and is potentially fatal in the elderly, very young and those in poor health.
Dr Gwen Lowe, consultant in communicable disease control at the National Public Health Service for Wales (NPHS) said they were first notified of the situation this week.
Our advice is that anyone who has vomiting or diarrhoea from any cause should not swim for two weeks after their symptoms have settled Dr Gwen Lowe, NPHS
She said investigations began immediately and the pool has remained open after a risk assessment was carried out.
"A total of 46 people attended the pool party. Around 30 have experienced illness, most of whom have now recovered. Eight of these have been confirmed with cryptosporidium," she said.
"A likely source of this outbreak of illness is a faecal accident which may have occurred in one of the three pools at the leisure centre.
"This occasionally happens and those in the pool near the time of the accident may be exposed to a temporarily increased risk until the water is circulated through the treatment systems."
Symptoms
She said the pool has since been inspected by an independent water expert who is satisfied that the systems are working.
"Our advice is that anyone who has vomiting or diarrhoea from any cause should not swim for two weeks after their symptoms have settled," she added.
Symptoms of cryptosporidium include diarrhoea ,which can range from mild to severe.
It is often accompanied by stomach pain, nausea or vomiting, fever and sometimes dehydration and weight loss.
Careful hand-washing is the most important prevention measure that people can take to stop it spreading.