Amberley Pool increases disinfection protocols to keep swimmers safe

MainPower Amberley Pool has increased its disinfection protocols as a precaution against the gastric illness cryptosporidiosis.

MainPower Amberley Pool manager Anne Frankland says no cases have been detected at the Amberley pool, however, pool staff have increased their protocols as a precaution, following an outbreak in North Island.

“We are disinfecting all handle surfaces hourly - it’s important we keep all our pool users safe. Unfortunately, chlorine doesn’t kill all the ‘nasties’.”

Symptoms of Cryptosporidiosis include diarrhoea, vomiting and stomach cramps. The disease is caused by a microscopic parasite called cryptosporidium and is easily spread to food, surfaces and water by hands contaminated with faeces.

Frankland says it’s important pool users stay away from the pool for two weeks after symptoms go away.

“The parasite lays eggs that can survive in the environment for a long time. Even if people are no longer feeling ill, the disease can still be passed, so it’s important to stay away from the pool for 14 days to ensure the full cycle of the parasite has been exposed to treatment.”

Frankland says microbiological testing is carried out regularly at the pool but removing cryptosporidiosis from water is difficult.

“If pool water became contaminated with cryptosporidiosis, the only way to remove it would be to completely empty the pool, wash it with disinfectant, and then dry the pool before refilling. This would mean the pool having to close for one to two weeks.”

Practicing good handwashing and drying after using the toilet, changing nappies and before preparing or eating food would keep whanau and the wider community safe from the spread of the disease, Frankland said.

For more information, please go to https://info.health.nz/conditions-treatments/infec...