14 people sick after crypto-sporidium outbreak linked to McMenamins pool

A cryptosporidium outbreak linked to a McMenamins pool has sickened 14 people, according to KING5.com. The report identifies the pool connection but does not provide further details in the available information about the affected people, the location, or the timing of the illnesses.

Cryptosporidium is a microscopic parasite that can cause cryptosporidiosis, an intestinal illness. It is commonly associated with contaminated water and can spread when people swallow water containing the parasite. Symptoms can include diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea and dehydration.

Swimming pools and other recreational-water facilities can pose challenges for preventing cryptosporidium transmission because the parasite has a protective outer shell and can survive in water for extended periods. Public health responses to such outbreaks generally focus on identifying potential exposure sites, limiting further transmission and informing people who may have been exposed.