Five kids contract skin infection after swimming in Idaho YMCA pool
The Central District Health Department (CDHD) in Boise, Idaho has reported that five children had contracted skin infections caused by the bacterium, Mycobacterium abscessus, after swimming in local YMCA children’s pool, according to a YMCA news release.
CDHD health officials notified the West Y-Boise City Aquatics Center of the infections and have linked it to the pool as the suspected source.
YMCA officials report they immediately cleaned and disinfected the pool and received the authorization to re-open the pool from CDHD.
Mycobacterium abscessus(M. abscessus) is a bacteria that is found naturally in water and soil. M. abscessus can cause infections of the skin and the soft tissues under the skin. In some persons, these infections can be serious and long-lasting if left untreated.
M. abscessus causes skin infections that look like red bumps or blisters, usually on the hands and/or feet. These bumps or blisters may be painless or can be red, warm, tender to the touch, swollen, and/or painful. Infected areas can also develop boils or pus-filled blisters.
There is very little risk of transmission from person to person; however, health officials advise anyone who touches or cares for an infected site should wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water after contact.
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Thank you for sharing on infection after swimming. May be these infections are due to bacteria’s present in water.
My children are 2 of the 5 cases. 🙁