Cade Lucas
Wyndham swimmers are being urged to take precautions to prevent further gastro outbreaks at pools in the municipality.
The pool hall at AquaPulse, Hoppers Crossing reopened at 5.30am on Thursday April 4, after being closed on April 2 following a confirmed case of cryptosporidiosis among two of of its patrons.
According to the Western Public Health Unit (WPHU), the two patrons likely inquired the infection after swimming at AquaPulse in March.
The pool hall remained closed on Wednesday as the venue’s infectious disease protocol was applied, but
the gym and group fitness classes at AquaPulse remained open.
AquaPulse is operated by Wyn Active, a division of Wyndham council that manages pools, gyms and indoor sports facilities throughout the municipality.
Wyn Active confirmed to Star Weekly that the Werribee outdoor pool, where a cryptosporidiosis outbreak occurred last month, was not affected and was operating as normal.
Cryptosporidiosis is a type of gastro caused by the parasite Cryptosporidium.
The water-borne infection causes gastro-like symptoms, and can be easily transmitted in many ways, including from contaminated swimming pool water as well as consumption of contaminated food.
Dr Finn Romanes, Director of WPHU, said that across WPHU’s catchment in Melbourne’s west there has been a significant increase in crypto infections this year, with 240 confirmed cases notified since January 1 2024 compared to only 27 in the same period in 2023.
“This is a significant public health issue,” said Dr Romanes.
“All people can become infected after exposure to crypto and there are many unrecognised cases for each confirmed case that is reported to the local public health unit. The most common symptoms of crypto are watery diarrhoea and stomach cramps, which begin 1-12 days after exposure and may last several weeks. While most illness is mild and self-limiting, younger children, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems are at risk of more severe illness if infected,” he said.
“In many instances, WPHU investigations have found that cases are linked to a person having swum in an aquatic facility. Crypto parasites are highly resistant to the levels of chlorine normally found in swimming pools. When more than one case is linked to an aquatic facility as the likely source, WPHU will work closely with the Department of Health, the council and with the facility, to ensure hyperchlorination is undertaken to treat the water, and patrons are notified and provided advice about preventing further crypto contamination,” Dr Romanes said.
To prevent more pools from becoming contaminated, Dr Romanes said people who have had gastro symptoms should avoid swimming until two weeks after their symptoms are gone and those who have gastro symptoms should get tested.
“We’re being very active in trying to prevent and manage these outbreaks of crypto, and we need the community to help,” he said.
For more information visit: rb.gy/uea1bp or www.wphu.org.au/healthy-swimming-it-starts-before-you-hop-in-the-pool/
