A recent analysis by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has found a disturbing link between splash pads and gastrointestinal outbreaks across the US. The study, which examined records from 1997 to 2022, revealed that at least 60 splash pad-related outbreaks occurred, resulting in over 10,000 illnesses, 152 hospitalizations, and 99 emergency department visits.
The most common pathogens responsible for these outbreaks include Cryptosporidium, Camplyobacter jejuni, Giardia duodenalis, Salmonella, Shigella, and norovirus. The CDC attributes the majority of cases to small children who unintentionally spread germs into the water while sick.
According to the study, some children vomit or defecate directly into the water, while others become “super spreaders” due to their lack of toilet training skills. Furthermore, when these children stand over jets at splash pads, any fecal matter on their bodies can wash out of their swim diapers and contaminate the water.
The analysis provides a comprehensive catalog of documented outbreaks since splash pads emerged in the 1990s. While the CDC acknowledges that reporting delays and missed connections may have led to an undercount, this study sheds light on the shocking correlation between splash pad use and gastrointestinal illness.
Source: https://arstechnica.com/health/2024/12/from-diapers-to-mouths-of-babes-how-splash-pads-sickened-over-10k