Utah State Health Department officials' unveiled new rules for swimming pools this week aimed at avoiding another outbreak of cryptosporidiosis. More than 1,900 cases of the disease were reported last year in Utah and many counties instituted restrictions for swimmers cutting short the pool season.

The proposed rules would affect the 5,812 public and private pools in Utah, and include changes such as:

• Adding soap and soap dispensers in shower areas so that swimmers could take a "cleansing" shower - defined as cleaning the entire body with soap to remove fecal matter - after using the restroom;
• Instructions that swimmers not swim if they have diarrhea or have had diarrhea in the last two weeks;
• Methods for pool operators to properly respond to fecal accidents in the swimming pools; and
• Requirements that children under three years of age or individuals without bowel control wear a swim diaper as well as waterproof swim diapers.

In addition to the proposed rules, Salt Lake County is installing UV treatment systems, which do a better job than regular chlorine levels at killing bacteria and parasites, to its 18 public pools. The state's largest private water park, where up to 4,000 people swim each day during the summer, is also adding the systems. The rules, if approved after one month of public comments, would go into effect May 22 in time for the traditional start of the swim season.

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Rules Proposed to Curb Another "Crypto" Outbreak

A cholera outbreak - Vietnam's third major outbreak since October - has infected over 130 people in the Southeast Asian nation and prompted the government to launch a month-long public hygiene drive. The dangerous bacterial disease has spread in recent weeks from Hanoi to southern Ho Chi Minh City and 16 provinces, officials said. To date, no deaths have been reported from the three outbreaks.

The disease, spread through unsafe food, has resulted in 1,335 acute diarrhea cases reported since early March, of which about 10 percent have tested positive for cholera. Poor hygiene conditions have exacerbated the problem specifically in open food markets and street side restaurants where ground-level cooking areas are often situated near toilets. Public health officials suspect cholera has spread rapidly along Vietnam's north-south railway line, where many train carriages have inadequate waste removal services.

As part of the month-long public awareness campaign, the government will stress key public hygiene messages, such as the need to wash hands after using toilets or handling garbage and before touching food, keeping kitchens clean, cooking food well, boiling drinking water, and avoiding unsafe street side restaurants.

Cholera is an acute intestinal infection transmitted through water or food contaminated by the bacteria vibrio cholerae. It causes diarrhea and dehydration and can lead to kidney failure and death if untreated.

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Cholera Outbreak in Vietnam

Residents of Alamosa, Colorado will be allowed to drink water from their taps for the first time in nearly a month after the state lifted the "boil" order on the municipality's water system, which had been on restrictions since mid-March because of a salmonella outbreak. The city has reported 389 cases of salmonella, 107 of which were confirmed by laboratory testing.

To remove the contamination, local health officials sent chlorine through the water system, determined that the system was safe and lifted the order. Alamosa will have a new water system on line later this spring, and will establish a process where chlorine, along with other chemicals, will be applied to prevent the system to eliminate dangerous bacteria. While the order was in place, Alamosa residents were advised not to use tap water for drinking, showering or hand washing. Donations of bottled water and clean water from other systems kept the residents from dehydrating and let them keep their dishes clean.

Most people infected with Salmonella develop diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps 12 to 72 hours after infection. The illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days, and most persons recover without treatment. An investigation into the cause of the Alamosa salmonella outbreak continues.

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Tap Water in Colorado Town OK to Drink

The Canadian government announced that it was investing $330 million over a two-year period to improve the delivery of clean, safe drinking water in First Nations communities. The announcement of the First Nations Water and Wastewater Action Plan builds on the Government's efforts, which were first launched its Plan of Action in March 2006. To date, 108 of the total 193 First Nation water systems have been removed from a high risk category.

Specifically, the Canadian government will:

• Nearly double the number of trainers in the Circuit Rider Training Program, which provides training to First Nation water system operators;
• Conduct a national assessment of water and wastewater systems in all First Nations communities to help establish a future, long-term investment strategy;
• Set clear standards to guide First Nations in the planning, design and operations of water and wastewater systems, as well as small facilities including wells and septic systems; and
• Consult with First Nation communities, regional First Nation organizations and provincial/territorial governments on the creation of a federal legislative framework for drinking water and wastewater on reserve.

The Canadian government will distribute a Drinking Water Advisory Toolkit to increase public awareness of drinking water quality issues for First Nation leaders and community members. This kit, which includes public service announcements, print advertisements, posters and door hangers, has been designed to help community leaders communicate essential information to residents about the quality of their water supply.

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First Nations Water Plan

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