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Notice to Readers: National Recreational Water Illness Prevention Week
--- May 19--25, 2008
The week of May 19--25, 2008, marks the fourth annual National Recreational Water Illness Prevention Week.
This yearly observance provides an opportunity for public health agencies to increase awareness of recreational water
illness and promote healthy recreational water experiences.
Recreational water illness (RWI) is spread by swallowing, breathing, or having contact with contaminated water
from swimming pools, water parks, interactive fountains, spas, lakes, rivers, or oceans. The most commonly reported RWI
is diarrhea caused by pathogens such as
Cryptosporidium, Norovirus, Shigella,
Escherichia coli O157:H7, and
Giardia. Children, pregnant women, and persons with compromised immune systems are at greatest risk for RWIs.
Infection with Cryptosporidium can be life threatening in persons with weakened immune systems. Other RWIs include
various skin, ear, eye, respiratory, and neurologic infections.
In 2007, state and local health departments across the country investigated more RWI outbreaks than ever
before. This upsurge was driven by an increase in the number of reported RWI outbreaks caused by
Cryptosporidium, a chlorine-resistant parasite, and was primarily associated with treated recreational water venues, such as pools, water parks,
and interactive fountains. Although seven such RWI outbreaks caused by
Cryptosporidium were identified in 2004
(1), CDC has received preliminary reports of 18 that
occurred during 2007 (CDC, unpublished data, 2008) and expects to
receive more as the 2007 count is finalized. Because
Cryptosporidium is chlorine resistant, even a well maintained pool
can transmit this parasite. Therefore, public health officials, pool operators, and beach managers should work together
to educate the public regarding preventing RWIs by keeping
Cryptosporidium and other pathogens out of all
recreational waters, treated and untreated (e.g., oceans and lakes). RWI prevention guidelines for pool staff members are available
at http://www.cdc.gov/healthyswimming/twelvesteps.htm. Suggestions for pool users are available at
http://www.cdc.gov/healthyswimming/pdf/pool_user_tips.pdf.
To help promote healthy recreational water experiences, public health officials also can participate in development
of the national Model Aquatic Health Code (MAHC). Currently, no complete pool code exists at the national level.
In 2005, local, state, and federal public health officials and representatives from the aquatics sector met to develop
a strategic plan to prevent RWIs, with the top recommendation calling for a national model code that would
provide uniform guidelines for the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of treated recreational water
venues. Although it will not provide a set of federal regulations, MAHC will give state and local agencies a tool with which
to update their own codes. Information regarding participation in the development of MAHC is available at
http://www.cdc.gov/healthyswimming/model_code.htm.
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