Count Monica Plake among those who aren’t worried about a repeat of the cryptosporidium outbreak of 2003.

The McLouth resident and her 20-month-old son, Hunter, ventured Tuesday to the Lawrence Outdoor Aquatic Center, 727 Ky., for an afternoon of swimming.

“Since the pool hasn’t been open for very long,” she said on the fourth day of the pool’s 2004 season, “I don’t think there’s anything to worry about.”

Last August, the pool was closed for a day and a half while it underwent a hyperchlorination process to kill the diarrhea-inducing parasite. Before the outbreak was over, 96 cases were diagnosed in northeast Kansas, 89 in Douglas County, the majority of those in Lawrence’ and more than 600 other probable, but unconfirmed, cases identified by community surveys.

Though there was no definite evidence the Aquatic Center — or any other public pool in Lawrence — was the origin of the outbreak, there was a concern at the time because the parasite is easily spread in pools.

This year, public health and pool officials are working together to be sure there is no repeat outbreak.

Lifeguard manager Marc Ricketts said the pool was testing its water every hour. He said he had not fielded any questions about the parasite from parents.

“We’re watching for it, but it hasn’t been a problem,” Ricketts said.

Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department employees also have distributed “healthy swimming” fliers and brochures at community events, which emphasize to swimmers the need to wash their hands and stay out of the water if they’re sick.

Monica Plake and her 20-month-old son, Hunter, both of McLouth, enjoy the comforts of the Lawrence Outdoor Aquatic Center despite cooler-than-normal temperatures. Plake said Tuesday that she was not concerned about the presence of cryptosporidium at the pool.

Kim Aldridge, a nurse, was like Plake. She brought two of her three sons to the pool Tuesday.

“I don’t worry about (cryptosporidium),” Aldridge said. “It’s treatable. Everybody I knew last year just waited for the pools to be treated. Nobody was too panicky.”

Instead of a parasite, there were other concerns Tuesday at the pool.

Ricketts said the pool temperature was about 10 degrees higher than the air temperature. It was noticeable to Plake.

“The water is not too bad, but the breeze when you get out is cold,” she said.

6News video: Weather beckons swimmers to pool (05-31-04)

The big concern for Aldridge’s son, Tucker Wilson, 5, was being too short to go on the lily pads.

“He’s about an inch too short,” Aldridge said as Tucker frowned. “But I told him if he eats all his vegetables he may be tall enough to go on them later this summer.”