scholarly journals Cryptosporidium outbreaks associated with swimming pools

2014 ◽  
Vol 57 (01) ◽  
pp. 3-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven Lam ◽  
Bhairavi Sivaramalingam ◽  
Harshani Gangodawilage
Keyword(s):  
Public Education ◽  
Swimming Pool ◽  
Gastrointestinal Illness ◽  
Public Health Issue ◽  
Recreational Water ◽  
Infectious Agents ◽  
Swimming Pools ◽  
Acute Gastrointestinal Illness ◽  
And Training ◽  
Water Borne

Acute gastrointestinal illness is a common and preventable public health issue. Exposure to recreational water, such as in swimming pools, is a risk factor for acute gastrointestinal illness. Serious outbreaks of water-borne diseases in Canada are rare but can pose a significant threat to human health. Cryptosporidium is one of the most common infectious agents causing pool-related outbreaks. Pool fouling, lack of education and training, inadequate pool structures, and lack of disinfection equipment have been linked to outbreaks of Cryptosporidium. To minimize the burden of swimming pool related outbreaks, interventions should include pool structure alterations, increased surveillance and reporting of swimming pool associated diseases, and public education regarding the risk of swimming pool infections.

scholarly journals Application of Water Quality Index in Assessment of Swimming Pools Water Quality in Hotels in Emerging Africa Littoral Metropolis of Warri, Delta State, Nigeria

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 91-107
Author(s):  
Obot Akpan IBANGA ◽  
◽  
Stephanie Emuobonuvie OHWO ◽  
Goodluck Mamuro OMONIGHO ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Water Quality ◽  
Water Quality Index ◽  
Quality Index ◽  
Heterotrophic Bacteria ◽  
Swimming Pool ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Public Health Issue ◽  
Residual Chlorine ◽  
Swimming Pools

Swimming pools in guest houses and hotels in many cities in sub-Saharan Africa have been labelled ‘beautiful irritation’ or hazard zones for public health issues due to the unwholesomeness of water. Pollution in swimming pools is therefore, not uncommon and it is a serious public health issue both at the global, regional, national and local levels. This study focused on application of water quality index in assessment of swimming pools water quality in hotels in emerging Africa littoral metropolis of Warri, Delta State, Nigeria. It used stratified random sampling technique to select five hotels with swimming pool in Warri for assessment. Temperature, pH, turbidity, free (residual) chlorine, total heterotrophic bacteria, total heterotrophic fungi, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus tested in the laboratory using scientific method of sampling. Water quality index (WQI) was computed using Weighted Arithmetic Water Quality Index (WAWQI) to evaluate in general, the quality of water in each of the five sampled swimming pools. A five-point scale (excellent, good, poor, very poor and unsuitable) was used to rank each swimming pool quality. Result showed that Wellington Hotel had the value of 2.52 and considered excellent in terms of water quality index value. Also, Brook View and Best Western Plus Hotels were classified as good water based on water quality index values of 36.9 and 39.9 respectively while BB swimming pool was ranked poor due to water quality index of 51.4. In contrast, Oasis Place Hotel swimming pool was declared unsuitable for recreational purpose due to a water quality index of 102.1. The study recommended routine and periodic surveillance of swimming pools and other recreational water sources to guarantee optimum health and wellbeing of users.

scholarly journals Assessment of antifungal potentials of violacein extract from Chromobacterium violaceum isolated from domestic and recreational water sources in Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 168-172
Author(s):  
Joy Nkeiruka Dike-Ndudim ◽  
Lovelyn Chinyeaka Ugenyi ◽  
Chizaram Winners Ndubueze
Keyword(s):  
Candida Albicans ◽  
Aspergillus Niger ◽  
Fungal Infections ◽  
Water Sources ◽  
Chromobacterium Violaceum ◽  
Swimming Pool ◽  
Recreational Water ◽  
Swimming Pools ◽  
Inhibitory Effects ◽  
Imo State

Anti-Microbial Resistance (AMR) in superficial fungal infections are major worldwide public health problem that affects a large part of the human population globally. The antifungal potentials of violacein extracted from Chromobacterium violaceum isolated from domestic and recreational water sources in Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria, was assessed. Three water samples were collected from different locations of the Otamiri River, five from different swimming pools and three from different borehole locations in Owerri Metropolis. The samples were cultured on nutrient agar by pour plate method. The violet colonies of Chromobacterium violaceum were counted, characterized and identified. Water sample from Otamiri River station-1 had the highest bacteria count (20.00 × 101 CFU/Ml and 19.50 × 101 CFU/mL) respectively. Swimming pool 1 and 3 bacterial counts were (14.50 × 101 CFU/mL, 11.00 × 101 CFU/mL and 11.50 × 101 CFU/mL) respectively. For borehole 1, 2 and 3, swimming pool 2, 4 and 5 counts were (0.00 × 101 CFU/mL). The ethanolic extracts from the isolates (violacein) and the control drug (fluconazole 50µg/mL) both had inhibitory effects on the test organisms (Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger) at different concentrations. The MIC of Fluconazole on Candida albicans and A. niger were 25µg/ml and 50µg/Ml, respectively. Violacein from both swimming pools and Otamiri River isolates had MIC of 8.75mg/ml on A. niger and MIC of 4.375mg/ml on Candida albicans. Violacein which proved to have inhibitory effects on Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger can be harnessed for treatment of infections caused by these fungi.

scholarly journals The Incidence of Acute Gastrointestinal Illness in Canada, Foodbook Survey 2014-2015

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Kate Thomas ◽  
Regan Murray ◽  
Andrea Nesbitt ◽  
Frank Pollari
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Burden Of Illness ◽  
Case Definition ◽  
Gastrointestinal Illness ◽  
Health Issue ◽  
Public Health Issue ◽  
Care Seeking ◽  
Important Public Health ◽  
Acute Gastrointestinal Illness ◽  
Important Public Health Issue

Acute gastrointestinal illness (AGI) is an important public health issue, with many pathogen sources and modes of transmission. A one-year telephone survey was conducted in Canada (2014-2015) to estimate the incidence of self-reported AGI in the previous 28 days and to describe health care seeking behaviour, using a symptom-based case definition. Excluding cases with respiratory symptoms, it is estimated that there are 0.57 self-reported AGI episodes per person-year, almost 19.5 million episodes in Canada each year. The proportion of cases seeking medical care was nearly 9%, of which 17% reported being requested to submit a sample for laboratory testing, and 49% of those requested complied and provided a sample. Results can be used to inform burden of illness and source attribution studies and indicate that AGI continues to be an important public health issue in Canada.

scholarly journals Compliance of bathers to showering before swimming in a public pool in Toronto, Ontario

2021 ◽  
Vol 63 (4) ◽  
pp. 107-113
Author(s):  
Oluyemisi Omisakin ◽  
Ian Young
Keyword(s):  
Organic Material ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Swimming Pool ◽  
Recreational Water ◽  
Swimming Pools ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Fecal Matter ◽  
By Products ◽  
Person Questionnaire

Bathers at public swimming pools should shower prior to entering the pool deck to remove organic material (e.g., sweat, lotions, fecal matter) that can increase the risk of recreational water illness and the formation of disinfection by-products. However, little research has been conducted to evaluate bathers’ pre-swimming showering practices. We conducted a cross-sectional study of bathers aged 18 years or older at a public swimming pool in Toronto, Ontario, to evaluate their showering habits. An in-person questionnaire was administered in October and November 2019. Bivariate associations were examined between selected variables and participants’ self-reported showering frequency prior to swimming (often or always vs. never, rarely, or sometimes). A total of 110 bathers agreed to participate. Most participants (63%) were aged 18–34, 56% identified as male, and 78.2% reported always or often showering before swimming. Of these individuals, only 34% reported using soap when showering. Participants that identified as male (vs. female) and an ethnicity other than white were more likely to report often or always showering, as were those that reported reading the pool rules and that observed other bathers taking a shower. Additional efforts are needed to educate bathers about the importance of showering prior to swimming in public pools.

Who is watching over me? - Was the public’s perception of the anaesthetist changed by National Anaesthesia Day?

2000 ◽  
Vol 86 (3) ◽  
pp. 134-141
Author(s):  
S J Tanser ◽  
D J Birt
Keyword(s):  
Public Education ◽  
Public Information ◽  
Local Information ◽  
White Coat ◽  
Information Campaign ◽  
The Public ◽  
New Methods ◽  
Local Impact ◽  
The Impact ◽  
And Training

AbstractThe aim of National Anaesthesia Day on 25 May 2000 was to inform the public about the role and training of anaesthetists. We carried out two surveys of patients attending Derriford Hospital, Plymouth to assess the local impact of National Anaesthesia Day and to assess the public’s expectation of the preoperative visit. The first survey was held one month prior to National Anaesthesia Day and was completed by 93 patients. The second survey was held immediately following National Anaesthesia Day and was completed by 70 patients. Thirty five percent of the patients surveyed were unaware that anaesthetists were medically qualified. This result was not altered by National Anaesthesia Day despite a local information campaign. Moreover, knowledge about our role and training was only marginally improved from 1978. The majority of patients expected to see their anaesthetist preoperatively for less than 10 minutes and would not be concerned if they had not been seen one hour before surgery. Style of clothing was unimportant; few preferred a white coat but name badges were desirable. We conclude that the level of ignorance about our profession has not changed since 1978 and the impact of National Anaesthesia Day was not significant. This may be as a result of the anaesthetist’s portrayal on television, which is known to be an important source of public information on other areas of medicine. If these statistics are to change in the next 22 years new methods of public education need to be found.

scholarly journals Validation of Questionnaire Methods to Quantify Recreational Water Ingestion

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (11) ◽  
pp. 2435 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Suppes ◽  
Kacey Ernst ◽  
Leif Abrell ◽  
Kelly Reynolds
Keyword(s):  
Cyanuric Acid ◽  
Swimming Pool ◽  
Recreational Water ◽  
Tracer Method ◽  
Response Options ◽  
Water Ingestion ◽  
Pool Water ◽  
Chemical Tracer ◽  
Swimming Pool Water ◽  
Validation Of Questionnaire

Swimming pool water ingestion volumes are necessary for assessing infection risk from swimming. Pool water ingestion volumes can be estimated by questionnaire or measuring a chemical tracer in swimmer urine. Questionnaires are often preferred to the chemical tracer method because surveys are less time consuming, but no research exists validating questionnaires accurately quantify pool water ingestion volumes. The objective of this study was to explore if questionnaires are a reliable tool for collecting pool water ingestion volumes. A questionnaire was issued at four pool sites in Tucson, Arizona to 46 swimmers who also submitted a urine sample for analyzing cyanuric acid, a chemical tracer. Perceived ingestion volumes reported on the questionnaire were compared with pool water ingestion volumes, quantified by analyzing cyanuric acid in swimmer urine. Swimmers were asked if they swallowed (1) no water or only a few drops, (2) one to two mouthfuls, (3) three to five mouthfuls, or (4) six to eight mouthfuls. One mouthful is the equivalent of 27 mL of water. The majority (81%) of swimmers ingested <27 mL of pool water but reported ingesting >27 mL (“one mouthful”) on the questionnaire. More than half (52%) of swimmers overestimated their ingestion volume. These findings suggest swimmers are over-estimating pool water ingestion because they perceive one mouthful is <27 mL. The questionnaire did not reliably collect pool water ingestion volumes and should be improved for future exposure assessment studies. Images of the ingestion volume categories should be included on the questionnaire to help swimmers visualize the response options.

scholarly journals Astronomy Education: an international perspective

1998 ◽  
Vol 162 ◽  
pp. 2-6
Author(s):  
John R. Percy
Keyword(s):  
Public Education ◽  
Research Universities ◽  
Professional Community ◽  
International Perspective ◽  
Astronomy Education ◽  
The Public ◽  
And Training

Education is important to astronomers because it affects the recruitment and training of future astronomers, and because it affects the awareness, understanding and appreciation of astronomy by taxpayers and politicians who support us. We have an obligation to share the excitement and the significance of our work with students and the public. Education is often neglected by the scientific and professional community - not by us, of course - and by many research universities. Our task is not only to be better astronomy educators ourselves, but to convince and train our students and colleagues to do likewise.

scholarly journals Epidemiological Study of Keratinophilic Fungi in Baghdad Swimming Pools

2014 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 1122-1129
Author(s):  
Baghdad Science Journal
Keyword(s):  
Fungal Infection ◽  
Epidemiological Study ◽  
Water Samples ◽  
Fungal Species ◽  
Summer Season ◽  
Keratinophilic Fungi ◽  
Swimming Pool ◽  
Swimming Pools ◽  
Isolation Period

The present study was included the isolation of Keratinophilic fungi from water samples taken from 19 indoor public swimming pools in Baghdad during four season (summer ,fall ,spring ,and winter). Isolation period was September 2011and September 2012 . Samples were collected from different places in swimming pool . Sixteen keratinophilic fungal species, belonging to twenty –one genera were isolated using Surface Dilution Plating (SDP) and Hair Bait Technique (HBT) . Aspergillus genus was the most frequent and occurrence (19.84%), followed by Trichophyton (11.60%) and Fusarium (7.59% ) . The most common fungal infection occurred in summer season (42.16%) , and the most frequent month manifestation of species occurred in August (17%) .

scholarly journals Removal of Cryptosporidium and polystyrene microspheres from swimming pool water with sand, cartridge, and precoat filters

2011 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-42 ◽  
Author(s):  
James E. Amburgey ◽  
Kimberly J. Walsh ◽  
Roy R. Fielding ◽  
Michael J. Arrowood
Keyword(s):  
Tap Water ◽  
Disease Outbreaks ◽  
Field Trials ◽  
Swimming Pool ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Recreational Water ◽  
Polystyrene Microspheres ◽  
Pool Water ◽  
Cryptosporidium Oocysts ◽  
Removal Efficiencies

Cryptosporidium has caused the majority of waterborne disease outbreaks in treated recreational water venues in the USA for many years running. This research project evaluated some common US swimming pool filters for removing Cryptosporidium oocysts, 5-µm diameter polystyrene microspheres, and 1-µm diameter polystyrene microspheres. A 946 L hot tub with interchangeable sand, cartridge, and precoat filters was used at room temperature for this research. Simulated pool water for each experiment was created from Charlotte, NC (USA) tap water supplemented with alkalinity, hardness, chlorine, and a mixture of artificial sweat and urine. Precoat (i.e., diatomaceous earth and perlite) filters demonstrated pathogen removal efficiencies of 2.3 to 4.4 log (or 99.4–99.996%). However, sand and cartridge filters had average Cryptosporidium removals of 0.19 log (36%) or less. The combined low filter removal efficiencies of sand and cartridge filters along with the chlorine-resistant properties of Cryptosporidium oocysts could indicate a regulatory gap warranting further attention and having significant implications on the protection of public health in recreational water facilities. The 5-µm microspheres were a good surrogate for Cryptosporidium oocysts in this study and hold promise for use in future research projects, field trials, and/or product testing on swimming pool filters.

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