Managing waterbourne pathogens in public swimming pools in Australia

Abstract

There have been numerous reports of swimming pool-associated outbreaks of Cyptosporidiosis and Giardia worldwide including Australia. It is essential to ensure that effective measures are in place to manage faecal contamination incidents, the primary source of contamination of these pathogens in public swimming pools. There are no evidence-based guidelines for the management of faecal contamination incidents (FCI) in public swimming pools in Australia. The aim of the study is to develop, implement and evaluate guidelines to reduce the public health risk associated with Cryptosporidium and Giardia in public swimming pools in Australia. This research is particularly important both nationally and internationally as the endemic of Cryptosporidium and Giardia is increasing significantly. It is estimated that half of all Indigenous children are affected by these pathogens which can cause long-term disability or death. A random sample of public swimming pools from metropolitan, rural and remote Western Australia will be recruited into the study to assess the effectiveness of guidelines to minimize the risk associated with faecal contamination incidents (FCI). This paper will outline the piloting of these guidelines in three public swimming pools during 2004.