Crypto strikes again

AP ^ | august 19, 2005 | Candice Choi

[robjna]

Water Park Closes After Hundreds Fall Ill Aug 19 1:39 AM US/Eastern

By CANDICE CHOI Associated Press Writer

ALBANY, N.Y.

Gastrointestinal illness possibly stemming from a state-run water playground has sickened more than 700 people, mostly children and teenagers, the state Health Department said Thursday.

"The numbers are growing significantly," said department spokesman Rob Kenny.

Seneca Lake Park's Sprayground, which has water jets shooting up from a hardtop surface, was closed after tests showed the tank system that feeds the water jets was contaminated with a common waterborne disease called cryptosporidiosis.

The disease is highly contagious and can cause diarrhea, nausea and fever that can last for weeks. It usually goes away without treatment in healthy individuals, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Five of the illnesses from the Sprayground have so far been confirmed as cryptosporidiosis.

No deaths have been associated with the outbreak, and many of the people connected with the outbreak have already recovered, Kenny said.

The Sprayground averages more than a thousand visitors a day in August. It is in the Finger Lakes region, about 45 miles southwest of Syracuse.

The water is monitored several times a day for proper chlorine levels and tested monthly for bacteria like E. coli, said Wendy Gibson, spokeswoman for the state parks department.

The Health Department at first temporarily shut down the Sprayground on Tuesday after receiving more than 100 reported cases of illness dating to early July. After the public was notified of the outbreak, the number of reported illnesses jumped to 746.

[robjna]

We had a crypto outbreak here in Milwaukee several years ago through our city water supply , it got me. It was the worse feeling in the world , I had no energy or desire to do anything , lost 10 pounds in two weeks. I feel their pain, even though i am sure many are going to line up on the law suit train. Now our water supply is like drinking pool water because the city isso afraid of having it happen again.

[BostonianRightist]

...possibly stemming from a state-run water playground ...

Why is New York State running a water playground?

I bet they're tainting the purity of our precious bodily fluids through flouridation.

[PissAndVinegar]

You should use the actual title...us geek types think of crypto as cryptography :)

[robjna]

sorry , i was just used to saying it as i hit the bowl
&*(*&&ing Crrrrypptooooooooooo