School bells will soon be ringing their last chimes for the year, and summer will be in full swing. That means hot days and sunshine and plenty of kids and adults seeking the cooling relaxation provided by pools across the county.

With the city pool opening this weekend and plenty of people pulling out their bathing suits for the summer season, the Decatur County Health Department (DCHD) is passing along information provided by the Center for Disease Control (CDC). This week has been dubbed National Recreational Water Illness Prevention Week, and the DCHD is trying to make sure local residents have a safe and helthy summer.

Alan Crosby, environmental helath specialist for the DCHD, noted the goal of this year’s recognition is to highlight swimming behaviors in preventing recreational water illnesses (RWIs). According to statistics provided by the CDC, state and local health departments throughout the nation saw more RWI outbreaks in 2007 than ever before with the surge centered around Cryptosporidium. Crypto, it’s lay term, is a chlorine-resistant parasite primarily associated with treated water recreational areas, such as pools and water parks. The presence of Crypto has nothing to do about a person’s diligence in cleaning their pool.

“Even a well-maintained pool can transmit Crypto,” Crosby noted. “Germs on and in swimmers’ bodies end up in the water and can make other people sick. Even healthy swimmers can get sick from RWIs, but the young, elderly, pregnant women and immunosupressed persons are especially at risk.”

It is the hope of Crosby and the CDC that awarenes of RWIs and healthy swimming behaviors will result in a reduction of these cases. The CDC offered a few tips to help swimmers stay safe in the water. If a person has been sick, especially with diarrhea, they should not jump in the pool. Swimmers should never swallow pool water and avoid getting it in their mouths. Showering before swimming, especially children, can remove harmful germs, and people should always wash their hands after using the toilet or changing diapers. Children should be given bathroom breaks often and diapers should never be changed poolside.

It is the belief of Crosby and the CDC that adopting these behaviors will help swimmers stay healthy and safe while enjoying the swimming fun summer has to offer.

For more information, readers may contact Crosbt at the DCHD at (812) 663-8301 or visit www.cdc.gov/healthyswimming for more tips.