Pool closed after parasite alert

The water from the pool is being tested

A swimming pool in Glasgow has been closed to the public after four people contracted cryptosporidiosis.

NHS Greater Glasgow said the pool at Parklands Country Club in Newton Mearns had been closed as a precaution.

The water-borne cryptosporidium parasite can cause severe diarrhoea, vomiting and fever.

Investigations into the outbreak, which occurred several weeks ago, are ongoing. Two children and two adults are recovering at home.

Public health consultants and East Renfrewshire Council's environmental health have been testing the pool water quality.

'Good recovery'

Testing will continue over the next few days and an outbreak control team will meet on Friday to review the situation.

A spokeswoman for NHS Greater Glasgow said: "The four are making a good recovery and we are looking into the source."

The cryptosporidium parasite is generally ingested into the human digestive system and can be particularly debilitating for the elderly, young children and the sick.

Symptoms include diarrhoea, abdominal cramps, headaches, nausea, vomiting and fever.

Onset of symptoms varies from two to 12 days after ingestion.

In August 2002, more than 140,000 people served by Mugdock Reservoir, near Glasgow, were forced to boil water for four days after supplies were contaminated with cryptosporidium.

And last September Eastwood Pool in East Renfrewshire was closed temporarily because of an outbreak.