A local health club shut down their pools after learning they may have been exposed to parasites. The Waukesha County Health Department said the cryptosporidium cases did not start at the Princeton Club in New Berlin, but two infected people swam in their pools.
Cryptosporidium is a parasite that causes diarrhea. People with lowered immune systems are more prone to the infection, which can spread through swallowing infected water or touching your mouth with infected hands. The disease can't spread through blood.
The Princeton Club sent TODAY'S TMJ4 a statement saying:
"Information provided to us by the Health Department indicated 2 cases of crypto in our area. They have confirmed no transmission of crypto to our pools, however, in keeping with our high standards of health and safety, we followed the Health Department recommendations to treat the water potentially containing contaminants. Additionally, we have chosen to voluntarily close our pools for a short period of time to reduce the potential of anyone introducing it to the water. The aquatics center is a very important part of our facility and our members experience, therefore, we will always be pro-active in keeping it safe for all our members and do whatever necessary to keep it that way. We hope to have the aquatic center open to resume regular activity very soon."
The Health Department confirms they have cooperated in taking Centers for the Disease control recommendations for handling the infection.
The CDC website said it takes 10.6 days for crypto to be killed in water.
They recommend people wash hands regularly, especially if they have been in contact with feces or infected items.
