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Jul 25, 2008 3:33 pm US/Central
Burger's Lake Set To Reopen After 'Crypto' Scare
FORT WORTH (CBS 11 / TXA 21) ―
After being treated for a waterborne virus, Burger' Lake near Fort Worth is set to reopen Saturday.
There are at least 20 confirmed reports of people who have gotten cryptosporidiosis and each of them said they swam in Burger's Lake.
Burger's Lake is a park that features a one-acre spring-fed lake.
Cryptosporidium is a parasite found in feces. A person can become sick if they swallow infected water causing symptoms that include diarrhea and nausea for up to two weeks. Health experts said it's not uncommon for the parasite to live in lakes.
Wednesday the Centers for Disease Control confirmed water tests from Burger's Lake were positive for cryptosporidium.
Owners of the lake have reportedly completed a heavy chlorination of the lake. Cryptosporidium, also known as crypto, is resistant to normal levels of chlorine.
Environmental Health Manager David Jefferson, with the Tarrant County Health Department, warned that chlorination will make the lake safe again, but the rest is up to visitors. "Even if we get 100-percent perfect kill, the first time people get in it, we could be right back to it if somebody makes an inconsiderate decision and poops in the pool so to speak," he said.
Right now the owners of Burger's Lake are waiting for the amount of chlorine in the lake to reach safe swimming levels. Health officials determined that 13-hours worth of heavy chlorine exposure would be enough to kill the crypto in the lake.
The Tarrant County Public Health Department ordered the 'hyperchlorination' after proof of the waterborne virus was confirmed.
Tarrant County Health officials offer these guidelines to prevent infection while swimming:
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Help protect yourself, your family and others in recreational swimming areas.
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Do not swim when you are ill with diarrhea or for two weeks after your diarrhea has stopped. Cryptosporidium is chlorine resistant.
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Do not swallow the water when you swim or wade in pool/lake/river water. Avoid getting water in your mouth.
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Practice good hygiene (i.e., shower before swimming).
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Please take children on bathroom breaks or check diapers often. Waiting to hear "I need to go," may mean that it is too late.
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Please change diapers in a bathroom or a diaper-changing area and not at poolside.
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Germs can be spread to surfaces and objects in and around the pool and cause illness.
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Please wash children thoroughly (especially in the diaper region) with soap and water before swimming.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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