The Utah Department of Health originally announced hyperchlorination requirements and a ban on young swimmers on Aug. 28, to control a statewide outbreak of cryptosporidiosis. The infection, accompanied by long-lasting, often debilitating diarrhea, is caused by a parasite.

The rate of new cases has slowed substantially, the department said Thursday.

"We believe it is appropriate to remove the requirement for increased chlorine levels which can cause problems for pools and swimmers," said Robert Rolfs, state epidemiologist, in a statement.

In past years, Utah has seen about 30 cases per year of cryptosporidiosis across the state. As of Tuesday, there were confirmed 1,818 cases, with the majority occurring since July.

A former ban on young swimmers was later altered to include specifically anyone who wears diapers.

That restriction remains in place.

People at higher risk - such as young children, pregnant women and anyone with a severely weakened immune system - should still avoid public pools, officials said.

For information online, visit www.cdc.gov/healthy swimming/.