Beware- Boardwalk Pool

[dizzknee3]

My 10 year old nephew got back from a stay at the Boardwalk villas on August 26th. On Wednesday August 29th, he bacame very ill and he was not able to keep anything down. On Thursday he was admitted to the hospital for dehydration and he was in for 2 days..they released him because he seemed better, but just days later he was very sick again and in the hospital. He was finally diagnosed with Cryptosporidiosis which is a parasite that can be found in swimming pools and is very resistant to chlorine. My brother did mention that twice while they were in the pool, it was closed down for "unscheduled" cleaning. Also my nephew, who cannot swim, did swallow a large amount of water when he ran into a little trouble while trying to swim. We cannot be absolutely sure that this is where he picked up the parasite but it seems likely. Just a warning for all the kids who can't swim:try to keep the water out of your mouth. It can happen anywhere. By the way, there is no treatment he has to work it out of his system on his on, but he is doing much better.

 

[christinec68]

How awful! I am glad he's feeling better.

 

[spiceycat]

please notify Disney immeidately - they don't use chlorine - they use something else.

and they test the water pretty often.

 

[I'mNoPrince]

Yes Please let them know the down time may have been because of a Accident in the pool and they thought they took care of that with a good cleaning and Shock.

I'm sure they can do some other testing knowing this could have been the cause .

 

[LakeAriel]

I was there with my daughter and two grandchildren same time..We are all fine just so you know. My 6 year old Grandson drank a ton of the water. That does not mean it didn't make your nephew sick but should assure you it probably didn't.

 

[canron]

go to newscannel 2000 ,,wesh2 .com and see whats going on with the water in orlando..in the lakes and ditches..or large puddles...its been going on for months now..go to wesh2 ,com and read about the kids that got really sick and adults with an infection in orlando area ,,,http://www.wesh.com/video/14077198/index.html

 

[Kathi OD]

He was finally diagnosed with Cryptosporidiosis which is a parasite that can be found in swimming pools and is very resistant to chlorine.

DN may or may not have contracted Cryptosporidiosis at BWV as it is found in lots of places, including drinking water. The parasite, Cryptosporidium, is found in soil, food, water, or surfaces that have been contaminated with infected human or animal feces. If a person swallows the parasite they become infected.

Common ways to contract this parasite are:

1. Accidentally putting something into your mouth or swallowing something that has come into contact with feces of a person or animal infected with Cryptosporidium.
2. Swallowing recreational water contaminated with Cryptosporidium (Recreational water includes water in swimming pools, hot tubs, jacuzzis, fountains, lakes, rivers, springs, ponds, or streams that can be contaminated with sewage or feces from humans or animals.) Cryptosporidium can survive for days in swimming pools with adequate chlorine levels.
3. Eating uncooked food contaminated with Cryptosporidium.
4. Accidentally swallowing Cryptosporidium picked up from surfaces (such as bathroom fixtures, changing tables, diaper pails, or toys) contaminated with feces from an infected person.

Unfortunately, the only thing that can be done is treat the diarrhea.

Hopefully your DN will be up and around quickly, regardless of where he picked up this nasty little organism!

 

[SharonLowe]

I hope everyone who reads this will also recognize why it is so important to NOT swim if you have similar symptoms. Both my DD and I contracted this parasite from our local pool several years ago and were sick for weeks and it almost ruined our vacation because we got it right before we went away.

Also to all you parents of babies and toddlers - please use swim diapers and check them frequently. Our pool had the problem because little ones kept pooping in the pool (sorry to be so blunt) and although they shut down and "cleaned" the pools, obviously it was not enough.

And, yes, such illnesses should be reported to local health authorities - it is the only way they can keep on top of it and report to others who may have been exposed at the same time.

 

[KimWDW]

That's terrible. I'm glad he's on the mend.

 

[yasmina]

please notify Disney immeidately - they don't use chlorine - they use something else.

and they test the water pretty often.

Wow, that't interesting to know. Do you know what they use? Is it just the hotel pools, or the water parks too? My dh has terrible sinus problems and cannot go near clorine.

 

[Disney Lifeguard]

"Unscheduled cleaning" is code for oops in the pool


And they definately use chlorine in the pool

 

[dizzknee3]

I was there with my daughter and two grandchildren same time..We are all fine just so you know. My 6 year old Grandson drank a ton of the water. That does not mean it didn't make your nephew sick but should assure you it probably didn't.

I'm so glad to hear that. Like I said, we are not positive where he picked up the parasite. The doctor did say some of the most common places are from pools and lakes and the "unscheduled " cleanings really meant nothing to my brother at the time but now that he looks back on it, it seemed like a likely place to pick up a parasite. My brother is contacting Disney just as a heads up. I basically wanted to put this out there as a warning that this could happen. I had never heard of it before.

 

[panfan]

This is sort of un-related but DS and his friend thought they were celebrities last month when the found a in the bottom of the beach club pool. ( sand bottom) Then they were upset to find out it wasn't really a laughing matter and the pool was shut down. 10 year old boys for ya!

 

[caracap]

I hope everyone who reads this will also recognize why it is so important to NOT swim if you have similar symptoms. Both my DD and I contracted this parasite from our local pool several years ago and were sick for weeks and it almost ruined our vacation because we got it right before we went away.

Also to all you parents of babies and toddlers - please use swim diapers and check them frequently. Our pool had the problem because little ones kept pooping in the pool (sorry to be so blunt) and although they shut down and "cleaned" the pools, obviously it was not enough.

And, yes, such illnesses should be reported to local health authorities - it is the only way they can keep on top of it and report to others who may have been exposed at the same time.

I couldn't agree more with you!!!! Also, moms of babies/toddlers, those swim diapers should be worn with a swim cover over them. You should double up. Also, if your child has diarehea or a throw up bug, please do not let them in the pool! COMMON SENSE! I am so worried about our children catching something from the pools in a few weeks while we are there, and i sure others are too. Also, parents of toddlers/babies if your child is grunting or turning red, can't you take them out to poop? I know it's not everybody, but it's some people, and it really is unhealthy,gross, disrespectful, rude, dirty & dangerous.

 

[caracap]

This is sort of un-related but DS and his friend thought they were celebrities last month when the found a in the bottom of the beach club pool. ( sand bottom) Then they were upset to find out it wasn't really a laughing matter and the pool was shut down. 10 year old boys for ya!

OMG, what exactly are you talking about? That is GROSS, I wonder why I am so paranoid with public pools!

 

[panfan]

OMG, what exactly are you talking about? That is GROSS, I wonder why I am so paranoid with public pools!

Yes....it was a very large ...ahem...number 2 in the sand bottom...he picked it up because he thought he stepped on a rock. Of coarse the two boys thought it was hilarious and told the life guard....like I said , they weren't too happy after that the pool was shut down. I was. Then we had a long talk about how it really wasn't a laughing matter in that situation but I think it was one of the highlights of the trip for them. Again, they are 10 year old boys!

 

[LakeAriel]

I couldn't agree more with you!!!! Also, moms of babies/toddlers, those swim diapers should be worn with a swim cover over them. You should double up. Also, if your child has diarehea or a throw up bug, please do not let them in the pool! COMMON SENSE! I am so worried about our children catching something from the pools in a few weeks while we are there, and i sure others are too. Also, parents of toddlers/babies if your child is grunting or turning red, can't you take them out to poop? I know it's not everybody, but it's some people, and it really is unhealthy,gross, disrespectful, rude, dirty & dangerous.

and please everyone don't allow your little kids in hot tubs! Talk about epidemics. ( and dangerous to the child) When we were at the BWV a Mom was at the bar fully dressed while her 3 children ran back and forth to it..

 

[Kira G.]

One of my girls contracted Cryptosporidium when she was a toddler - luckily not as severely as your nephew. It was during the winter and we had not gone near any pools for months so we have no idea where she got it. The health authorities actually contacted me after her diagnosis to see if they could establish a pattern of infection- unfortunately we were not able to be of much help.

So it was not necessarily the pool, and unfortunately you many never know where he got it. But definitely Disney should be alerted just in case.

And I am glad he is on the mend!

 

[rie'smom]

I got the Cryptosporidium bug last year at WDW. Good thing I had my daughter's nanny with us because i was in bed or running to the bathroom for 3 days. At no time was I in the pool.
The doctor said that it was very possible that I got it by having my hand on a rail and rubbed around my mouth.
There was an epidemic of sorts last year.
However, I was there in May and had no problem and I'm going back at Thanksgiving and not anticipating any problems.
I will say that I carry liquid soap in my purse and use it throughout the day.
Wash,wash,wash.

 

[Mich Mouse]

Wow! I've never read a thread like this on the DIS! There's always the stomach bug threads, but never this.

So sorry to hear of the trouble people have had with this nasty parasite! It might ease some fears to hear that even if you swim in the same pool at the same time there is a parasite, you may not become sick. We were at the BWV Aug. 23-30 and four of us swam in the pool daily....We are fine!

Did the OP contact the BWV though?