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CDC warns pool goers of fecal parasite

Doctors advise people to avoid swimming in pools if they've been sick recently.

It's hot. You're probably getting ready to cool off in the lake or pool.

"Humid day like this, you need to be near water," said Jenna Porter at the Edina Aquatic Center. 

But there's a new warning from the Centers for Disease Control about a rise in a parasite called Cryptosporidium or Crypto found in swimming pools.

The CDC says Minnesota was one of the hardest hit states between 2009 to 2017.

"Could be a problem for elderly person or a child. Dehydration associated with this diarrhea can knock you out if you're under 5, if you're elderly," said Dr. Frank Rhame, and infectious disease physician at Allina Health.

He says the disease is contracted only if you swallow contaminated water.

Edina Aquatic Center General Manager Patty McGrath says Crypto has never shown up in her pools, but she takes precautions.

"Each day we check the water chemistry 3 times a day. We make sure it's at levels that we expect it to be," said McGrath.

Doctors advise people not to swim people in pools if they've been sick recently.

"If you have diarrhea, stay out of the pools 2 weeks after you finish," said Rhame.

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