Pool reopens at Noosa Aquatic Centre

Noosa Aquatic Centre was given the all-clear from Queensland Health yesterday to reopen one of its pools after an outbreak of a common intestinal disease forced its closure last Friday.

The Learn to Swim pool at the centre tested positive last week for traces of Cryptosporidiosis (or Crypto) and was immediately closed to the public.

Following treatment, further samples were taken from the pool over the weekend and negative results for Crypto were confirmed by Queensland Health. As a precaution two other pools at the centre were also tested and both returned negative results also.

To prevent further spread of Crypto, public health advice is to practice high levels of hygiene, keep small children with diarrhoea home from school, preschool, childcare or playgroups. Food handlers and health care workers should stay away from work until diarrhoea has completely stopped. People are advised not to share linen or towels until two week after diarrhoea has stopped.

Importantly, anyone sick with diarrhoea should not go to public swimming pools until at least two weeks after their symptoms have abated.

Further information is available from Noel Cowell, Queensland Health, on 5409 6600 or Charlie Eames from the Sunshine Coast Regional Council on 5449 5334.