Crypto gastro warning for Geelong as warmer weather approaches

A gastric illness caused by a chlorine-resistant parasite continues to spread in the Geelong region, with authorities warning swimmers to remain vigilant as warmer weather approaches.

Dr Akhtar Hussain. Picture: Supplied

A gastric illness caused by a chlorine-resistant parasite continues to spread in the Geelong region, with authorities warning swimmers to remain vigilant as warmer weather approaches.

Cryptosporidiosis is a type of gastroenteritis caused by the parasite cryptosporidium.

Barwon South West public health unit physician Akhtar Hussain said there continued to be high rates of cryptosporidiosis in the region.

“Whilst there (has continued) to be a number of cases throughout winter affecting mostly children and young adults, there have been no recent hospitalisations due to cryptosporidiosis,” Dr Hussain said.

“We expect this may continue into summer as the number of people swimming increases.

“Some cases have been associated with public swimming pools.

“Cryptosporidium parasites are resistant to the levels of chlorine normally found in swimming pools.”

Typical symptoms include watery diarrhoea, stomach cramps, bloating, vomiting and fever.

Greater Geelong has recorded more than 150 cases of cryptosporidiosis so far this year.

Fifty-nine cases were recorded across 2023, and 25 the year before that, health department data shows.

Over summer, some Geelong pools were closed for hyperchlorination due to infected people attending.

Council’s executive director city life Anthony Basford said all City of Greater Geelong indoor swimming facilities use a secondary filtration process using ultraviolet light, which was proved to remove cryptosporidium oocysts.

“We service and maintain these units in excess of the manufacturer’s specification,” Mr Basford said.

Executive Director City Life Anthony Basford

He said council’s leisure and recreation and environmental health staff continued to be in regular contact with the Victorian Health Department’s water unit.

“As we have seen on occasion this year, the department may direct us to undertake hyperchlorination if people with crypto are confirmed to have visited our pools,” Mr Basford said.

“This is a precautionary measure and involves raising and holding the chlorine levels above safe swimming levels for a period of time, requiring us to close the facility while the process is carried out.”

He said the city aimed to educate community members about preventive actions before they entered council facilities.

“The health and safety of members and visitors to our aquatic facilities is always our highest priority,” he said.

Dr Hussain said it was important that everyone across the community helped to create a healthy swimming environment.

He said people should:

SHOWER and wash with soap before swimming;

WASH your hands with soap after going to the toilet or changing a nappy;

CHANGE nappies in nappy change areas only;

AVOID swallowing pool water; and,

NOT swim if you have diarrhoea or have had diarrhoea in the past two weeks.

Originally published as Crypto gastro warning for Geelong as warmer weather approaches