Cryptosporidium outbreak associated with Bothell pool

Cryptosporidium outbreak associated with Bothell pool

Published 4:26 pm Wednesday, September 30, 2026

By Bailey Jo Josie bailey.jo.josie@soundpublishing.com

An August outbreak of cryptosporidiosis (crypto) has been linked to a popular indoor pool in Bothell.

Public Health Seattle-King County announced Sept. 30 that they had investigated the outbreak associated with the pool at McMenamins Anderson School, suspecting that the illness has spread to 14 cases after someone infected with crypto had spent time in the pool and spreading germs that went on to infect other people. The exposure dates were Aug. 29 to Aug. 30, 2026.

Crypto is a “diarrhea-causing disease that is spread through germs that live in the poop of infected people or animals. When a person swallows cryptosporidium, or “crypto” germs, they can become infected,” according to the Center of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Sometimes, those who are infected do not experience symptoms.

According the investigation report, Public Health determined that “the pool at McMenamins is well-maintained and the facility follows King County’s health and safety requirements. Even in a very well-maintained swimming pool, Cryptosporidium is very resistant to chlorine, so if someone infected with Cryptosporidium uses the pool, the parasite can survive for several days.”