Outdoor Water Features Emerge as Primary Sites for Diarrhea Outbreaks, According to CDC Study
Beware, water enthusiasts: Your neighborhood water playground might be brimming with bacteria that trigger stomach problems. Recent findings from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention highlight how these fun water destinations have spurred numerous stomach aches since their inception.
CDC specialists examined data on waterborne ailments dating back to the mid-1990s, when water playgrounds first gained popularity. They identified multiple instances of ailments traced to water playgrounds since 1997, many of which necessitated hospital stays. The findings mark the initial quantification of the extent of harm linked to water playgrounds.
Also known as spray parks or interactive fountains, water playgrounds provide a safer alternative for people to enjoy the water, particularly kids. The jets are usually installed on a level surface with no water accumulation, thereby eradicating any potential drowning hazard. However, they are not entirely risk-free as demonstrated by this recent study.
Throughout the years, state and local health departments have reported waterborne illness outbreaks linked to water playgrounds, some of which occasionally make headlines. Yet, this CDC report appears to be the first to compile the extent of these outbreaks.
Overall, the CDC identified at least 60 outbreaks associated with water playgrounds between 1997 and 2022 across 23 states and Puerto Rico. Over 10,000 individuals fell ill during these incidents, while 152 were hospitalized. Gratefully, there were no reported fatalities. The findings were released Thursday in the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
As with other recreational water sources, water playgrounds should utilize treated water with chlorinated water. However, there are certain waterborne organisms resistant to chlorine, such as the parasite Cryptosporidium. This parasite accounts for the majority of illnesses associated with water playgrounds, as per the CDC's findings. Two-thirds of the outbreaks (40) and 90% of total cases were linked to Cryptosporidium. Additionally, water playgrounds are less regulated than other recreational water sources in certain jurisdictions, potentially increasing the risk of inadequately treated water playgrounds as a whole.
Furthermore, human behavior plays a significant role in these outbreaks. Children under five are the primary visitors to water playgrounds and are less likely to have mastered toilet and hygiene skills. Consequently, their contaminated feces are typically the source of contamination at local water playgrounds, despite the use of protective swim diapers. Moreover, children may not comprehend the importance of avoiding water following diarrhea, a common warning at recreational water facilities (though many adults disregard this advice as well).
While children will be children, the authors of the study call for further measures to minimize these outbreaks. Their recommendations encompass expanding regulations governing water playgrounds, incorporating secondary lines of decontamination, such as ultraviolet light treatment, to further diminish the risk of Cryptosporidium, and advising parents to discourage actions in their children that amplify the risk of contamination, such as children standing or sitting over a jet. Good luck with implementing that last suggestion.
In light of these findings, researchers are exploring potential future technologies to enhance water playground safety, such as more effective disinfection methods and advanced filtration systems. To mitigate health risks, it's essential for public health organizations to elevate the regulatory standards for water playgrounds, ensuring constant monitoring and treatment of the water to combat resistant organisms like Cryptosporidium.
