The Utah Department of Health has lifted its ban on diapered children in pools now that an outbreak of cryptosporidiosis, which causes severe, chronic diarrhea, is under control.
And pool managers hope families will return for a swim, even if it is almost Thanksgiving.
"We're looking forward to having our usual crowds back," said Kathy Olsen, aquatics coordinator for the Gene Fullmer Fitness and Recreation Center in West Jordan, which has an indoor pool. "We like to feel like our facility is getting used and providing a good service."
Since August, the state has logged 1,912 cases of cryptosporidiosis, which is caused by a parasite. That led to the drastic measure of banning children under age 5 from pools. The Health Department later eased the restriction, banning children in diapers. Pool owners also were ordered to hyperchlorinate their pools.
But the number of infections dwindled to six in the past three weeks, leading the Health Department to eliminate all restrictions.
It couldn't come soon enough for pool owners - take Salt Lake County and its 18 pools. Compared to last year, some 42,450 fewer swimmers have dived in since August. The financial hit totaled $160,000.
"If we were private, that probably would have put us under," said Martin Jensen, spokesman for the county's Parks and Recreation Department. "Our plan is to bring people back and to educate them about safe swimming."
Last month, the county offered five days of free swimming - something it may do again to bring back the crowds.
Not only did small children stop swimming, so did families, Olsen said.
"If you can't bring the youngest members of the family, sometimes it's hard to bring anyone," she said. "A lot of them didn't come swimming at all."
To avoid another outbreak, the Health Department is investigating all 1,900 cases to see if there is a common link and to answer why the outbreak was so severe this year. Normally, the state sees about 30 cases.
"One guess is it was one of the hottest summers we've ever had," said Rich Lakin, manager of the Health Department's disease investigation program. "Were more people going to a certain pool?"
He knows the state is lifting the restrictions after the peak swimming season. His advice?
"You can always enjoy the indoor pools."
hmay@sltrib.com
* Health officials will keep monitoring the number of cryptosporidiosis cases and will reinstate restrictions if needed.
* They also are researching how to prevent or limit a similar outbreak next year when swimmers return in greater numbers.
To help prevent another outbreak: If you have had diarrhea, don't swim for two weeks after symptoms have subsided. Don't swallow pool water.
