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Jul 27, 2008 10:39 pm US/Central
Local Facilities Reopen After 'Crypto' Scare
Beth Wagner
FORT WORTH (CBS 11 / TXA 21) ―
There was some good news for North Texans looking to cool off. Several swimming areas reopened following concerns of cryptosporidium. The "crypto" parasite was reported at five pools and parks in Fort Worth, Dallas, and Cleburne.
The Knights of Columbus Dallas reopened their pool today. It closed Saturday for cleaning. Dallas' Campbell Green Splash Park re-opened as well after adding extra chlorine.
The gates were also unlocked Sunday at the Fort Worth swimming hole where crypto was first reported more than a week ago. The waters at Burger's Lake and 20 people swimming in it tested positive for cryptosporidium.
After treating the sandy bottom pool, management at the says their purple warning signs are the only indication of crypto.
Splash Station in Cleburne is also open again. The facility closed down for 24 hours to hyper-chlorinate the water after a lifeguard became ill from the germ.
"The lady came out and tested and said we're cool," said swimmer Jesse Blakley. "If we can't trust our professionals who can we trust, right?"
Blakley and his church group spent the day on the slides. In all, about 400 swimmers beat the heat at the location.
"Usually when we are here the place is jammed packed. You can't find a picnic table," said swimmer Mike Elles. "Today there's not many people out here, obviously."
Management admits the crowd was smaller than usual.
"Typically on a day like this - nice weather, good day - we may see 500 to 800… that would be a typical Sunday in June," said Cleburne Assistant City Manager Adam Miles.
Tarrant County Health officials offer these guidelines to prevent infection while swimming:
- Help protect yourself, your family and others in recreational swimming areas.
- Do not swim when you are ill with diarrhea or for two weeks after your diarrhea has stopped. Cryptosporidium is chlorine resistant.
- Do not swallow the water when you swim or wade in pool/lake/river water. Avoid getting water in your mouth.
- Practice good hygiene (i.e., shower before swimming).
- Please take children on bathroom breaks or check diapers often. Waiting to hear "I need to go," may mean that it is too late.
- Please change diapers in a bathroom or a diaper-changing area and not at poolside.
- Germs can be spread to surfaces and objects in and around the pool and cause illness.
- Please wash children thoroughly (especially in the diaper region) with soap and water before swimming.
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