Outbreak of diarrhea in water park linked to chlorine-resistant parasite

Talk about a splash landing.

A water park pool in Kentucky became the unfortunate breeding ground for a powerful infection that produces painful symptoms such as diarrhea, nausea, fever and painful cramps.

Silver Lake Water Park and Adventure Center in Erlanger, a suburb of Cincinnati, was host to chlorine-resistant Cryptosporidiosis, abbreviated to crypto.

Johns Hopkins reports that the parasitic disease has an outer shell that keeps it alive against typical methods of killing germs in water and is “one of the most common causes of waterborne illness in the US.”

Adding insult to injury, the way the masses contract the vomit-inducing cryptoma is itself barf-worthy.

“Most people get the parasite after ingesting food or water contaminated with feces. This includes swallowing water while swimming,” warns Johns Hopkins.

The Northern Kentucky Department of Health recently advised that “several” victims of the regional outbreak were from local aquatic centers. In total, there are “approximately a dozen confirmed cases and numerous possible cases,” according to the agency.

Health department spokesman Skip Tate told the Cincinnati Enquirer that those affected range from a two-year-old to an adult.

In response, Silver Lake closed its outdoor pool for a “super chlorination” treatment to kill cryptops for two days, the facility announced.

On social media, the park called the health drama a “sanitary event” and limited who was allowed to comment on its Facebook post.

Tate added that another person contracted it while kayaking on Ohio’s Little Miami River.

Typically, most people develop symptoms a week after contracting shingles, but the incubation period is anywhere from two to 10 days, according to the department.

Johns Hopkins notes that “no treatment works completely against infection” and that good hygiene is the best preventative measure.

“If you have a healthy immune system, you’re likely to heal on your own. People who are in poor health or have a weak immune system may get a more serious infection.”

Those who have a bad case of diarrhea may be given medication to deal with the strong stool flow.

The Department of Health also advises those infected not to use public swimming areas for at least two weeks after developing symptoms.