Maple Grove Pools Close After 2 Swimmers Get Diarrheal Parasites

The indoor and outdoor pools at Maple Grove Community Center closed Wednesday after local health officials said two swimmers were diagnosed with a harmful parasite.

"We currently are treating the pools after receiving a report from Hennepin County Public Health Department that we have had two customers at the Maple Grove Community Center pools diagnosed with Cryptosporidium, a parasite that causes diarrheal illness call cryptosporidiosis," said an alert shared on the Maple Grove Parks and Recreation Facebook page.

Often called "crypto," cryptosporidium is among the most common waterborne diseases in the United States, according to the Minnesota Department of Health. It stems from surfaces or fluids that have been contaminated with the feces of infected humans or animals, and is frequently found in both drinking water and recreational water.

Crypto symptoms usually begin about one week after parasite exposure. They include watery diarrhea, vomiting, stomach cramps, loss of appetite, weight loss and a slight fever. Complications last about two weeks in healthy people.

The local pools are scheduled to reopen on Thursday, August 4th, contingent upon approval by the Hennepin County Public Health Department.