Swimming pool complex is closed after bug cases surge

A SWIMMING pool complex has been closed as part of an investigation into a rise in cases of a stomach infection.

•The cryptosporidium parasite can cause diarrhoea

NHS Lanarkshire said it was looking into an increase in cases of cryptosporidiosis, which causes diarrhoea, in the area in the past two months.

After checks on the patients, it was discovered a small number had visited the pools at the Tryst Sports Complex in Cumbernauld, leading to their closure on Tuesday night.

Yesterday North Lanarkshire Leisure, which runs the complex, said the closure was precautionary and tests had yet to find evidence of the bug in the water in the three pools.

NHS Lanarkshire would normally expect to see an average of 0.5 to 1.5 cases of cryptosporidiosis per week, but has seen an average of three per week more recently. The board said there had been 16 cases in June and July, compared to the eight to 12 cases it would expect.

Checks on the histories of the patients found less than five of the 16 had been to the Tryst pools, but this was seen as enough to investigate further.

The infection, which can be passed from person to person and from animal to person, may be picked up during swimming, and is also frequently linked to overseas travel.

Members of NHS Lanarkshire's Health Protection Team, North Lanarkshire Council, Health Protection Scotland and the Health and Safety Executive are now working together to investigate the rise in cases seen in Lanarkshire.

Dr John Logan, consultant in public health medicine, said: "From reviewing the cases in Lanarkshire, it was identified that a small number had visited the swimming pools within the Tryst Sports Complex in Cumbernauld.

"As a precautionary measure, North Lanarkshire Leisure agreed to temporarily close the swimming pools at the Tryst.

"We recognise that these cases may not have acquired their infection from using the swimming pools and our investigations include reviewing other possible explanations for the increase.

"We do expect to see cases of cryptosporidiosis throughout the year and regular reviews take place to identify if there are any common factors."

The swimming pools at the Tryst will remain closed until testing is complete and normal service can resume, NHS Lanarkshire said.

However, the rest of the facilities at the complex remain open as usual.

The pools could reopen as soon as today depending on the results of further tests.

A spokesman for North Lanarkshire Leisure said: "On advice from our colleagues at NHS Lanarkshire we have temporarily closed the pools at the Tryst in Cumbernauld.

"This is on a precautionary basis due to the possible and unconfirmed presence of cryptosporidium.

"We are now following our robust procedures and are liaising closely with colleagues from NHS Lanarkshire, North Lanarkshire Council's environmental services and the Health and Safety Executive to carry out further tests.

"Once these tests are complete we will reopen the pools at the Tryst as soon as possible."

BACKGROUND

Lyndsay Moss

Cryptosporidium is a parasite that causes the infection cryptosporidiosis and affects people and cattle.

The main symptom is watery diarrhoea, which can range from mild to severe. The infection is most common in children aged between one and five years but it can affect anyone.

People with weak immune systems are likely to be most seriously affected. The illness is usually mild, lasting a few days. A total of 698 cases of cryptosporidiosis were reported to Health Protection Scotland in 2009, compared to 656 in 2008.

NHS Lanarkshire said anyone with concerns about a diarrhoea illness should contact their GP or NHS 24 (08454 24 24 24) for advice.