Columbus Public Health Commissioner Theresa Long has ordered the area's 28 largest swimming pools to close and raise the level of chlorine to get ride of a parasite.
Health Dept. spokesman Jose Rodriguez says the city has seen 51 cases of cryptosporidium since July. He describes "crypto" as a prasite that can live in the intestines of humans and animals. It can survive for awhile even outside the body.
The parasite is most often spread by accidentally swallowing water contaminated with human or animal waste. Symptoms include diarrhea and can last for weeks. The city department of public utilities stresses that crypto is NOT found in drinking water in Columbus. All pools are expected to reopen by Monday. Additional information about cryptosporidium is available on the Columbus Public Health Department Web site: http://www.publichealth.columbus.gov/