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FARMINGTON, Utah (AP) -- Health officials fear more cases next year tied to cryptosporidium, a parasite that can cause severe diarrhea and is commonly spread in swimming pools.
An outbreak this year forced many Utah counties to ban people from pools, mostly kids, if they wore swim diapers. The restriction was lifted in October.
The state's epidemiologist, Dr. Robert Rolfs, said Utah is considering banning swim diapers from public pools in 2008. The Health Department will make recommendations in January or February.
There have been 1,900 cases of crypto since June. It can spread in water contaminated with human feces.
"If I were a betting man, I would say we are going to do this again next year," Lewis Garrett, Davis County health director, said of restrictions.
Some pool directors fear a major loss of revenue if toddlers are kept out of the water.
"Swimming is a family event," said Scott McDonald, aquatic director at South Davis Recreation Center in Bountiful.
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Information from: Standard-Examiner
(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
