The Catalan Public Health Agency has confirmed that the outbreak of gastroenteritis has forced the closure of the municipal swimming pool in Kalus as a precautionary measure, with 19 people currently affected. The infected persons were aged between 9 months and 43 years old, with an average of 7 years old, and had mild symptoms and did not need to be admitted to hospital. These facilities have been closed due to the suspected source of infection being in the water in the main and small glasses. Samples were taken to analyze for parasites and both pools were disinfected.
The outbreak started last week when the Súria Primary Care Center (Callusense Population Reference Center) 5 children with symptoms of acute gastroenteritis were found, The Cryptosporidium parasite was isolated from it, along with eight other suspects. Suspecting a possible outbreak, CAP professionals notified the cases to the Public Health Emergency Surveillance and Response Service in central Catalonia, which initiated an outbreak investigation, mapping populations potentially infected by the parasite, and looking for People who may be infected with the parasite. Origin of gastrointestinal infections.
In this sense, Imma Cervós, Deputy Director of the Public Health Service of the Central Region of Catalonia, explained that they began to suspect that all the cases were linked to the use of municipal swimming pools, especially small leisure pools, given the commonThe parasite is spread fecal-oral in recreational waters. Given this assumption, on Friday 25 August, the City Council agreed to preventive closures of the small pools, so throughout the weekend users have found seals preventing bathing in the small pools.
However, on Monday, the Catalonia Central Regional Public Health Division, in coordination with the Calus City Council, decided to go a step further, The large swimming pool was also closed as a precautionary measure Given the increase in the number of infections registered over the weekend, which has risen to 19, and which also affects the adult population. “This is a precautionary decision to be able to conduct an exhaustive analysis of the water and space surrounding the pool to detect the presence of parasites and proceed with appropriate disinfection,” Severs emphasized.
The parasite is transmitted fecal-oral and has an incubation period of 1 to 12 days.
Information from Public Health indicates that Cryptosporidium infection may be asymptomatic but in most cases presents with self-limited diarrhea, sometimes lasting five to six weeks, in people taking immunosuppressants or with chronic For older people with diarrhea, the situation may be more serious. disease. The incubation period ranges from 1 to 12 days, with an average of 1 week.
Cervós noted that summer was generally associated with an increase in gastroenteritis compared with other periods. Rising temperatures create a more favorable environment for viruses and bacteria. In this sense, it emphasizes the importance of maintaining the necessary hygiene in community spaces such as municipal swimming pools. “In these spaces, it is recommended to use showers, public services and avoid swimming pools to prevent gastrointestinal infections,” he said.
The mechanism of transmission is fecal-oral, and experts believe that “swallowing of infected recreational water, such as that from water parks and swimming pools, is causing more emerging cases of the disease.” It can also occur through cross-contamination of infected hands and surfaces to propagate.
payment refund
The City Council of Kalus states that it has “all the control measures laid down in RD 742/2013, which sets out the technical hygiene standards for swimming pools, and that it is always active in promoting preventive measures and willing to protect the health of swimming pools”. population and always follow the instructions of the Ministry of Public Health”.
The city government also explained that The proportional portion of the subscription corresponding to the number of days remaining until the end of the season will be refunded. To do this, you need to go to the Office of Citizens Attention (OAC) and show your payment. A proportional portion of Aquagym activity in sessions still pending will also be refunded. In this case, you must go to the Office of Citizen Attention (OAC) and show your DNI.