Community Corner

Illness Among Swimmers Prompts County to Close Lake Elmo Park Reserve Swimming Pond

Swimmers have reported having diarrhea after being in the pond, according to a Washington County news release.

Recent illnesses among swimmers has prompted the closure of the pond at the Lake Elmo Park Reserve, Washington County announced Thursday, July 26.

The pond will be closed for at least a day to allow for treatment for a “potential protozoan,” according to the release.

It hasn’t yet been determined if swimmers who experienced diarrhea picked up the bug while swimming in the pond, but county officials have opted to “super chlorinate” the pond to eradicate the bug, if it is in the water.

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“Park visitor safety is our main concern,” John Elholm, parks director, said in the release.

None of the cases have required hospitalization for the swimmers.

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“Two people with laboratory confirmed cases of Cryptosporidium (crypto) reported swimming at the Lake Elmo Park Reserve swim pond in the two weeks prior to their onset of illness,” reads the release. “There are also two additional laboratory confirmed cases of Cryptosporidium in people who reported swimming at the Lake Elmo swim pond just outside of their incubation period; it is possible that these cases could also be related.”

County Public Health and Environment staff will also provide education and signs to inform people that anyone who has diarrhea should not be swimming while they have diarrhea and for two weeks after symptoms resolve, according to the release.


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