With the opening of swimming season and a major cryptosporidium outbreak fresh in their memories, health and recreation workers are trying to raise awareness about waterborne illnesses.

Steven Dombroski, foreground, and Thomas Rexon begin preliminary construction on what will soon be a water slide at the Lawrence Outdoor Aquatic Center, 727 Ky. The pool opens Saturday.

“The one thing we tell everyone – lifeguards, cashiers, swimmers – is if you’re feeling sick don’t come to the pool,” Lawrence Parks and Recreation aquatics manager Jimmy Gibbs said. “We can’t stress that enough. These illnesses are preventable but it takes people to do that.”

Pool employees received some training about the health concerns Tuesday in preparation for opening outdoor pools Saturday for the summer.

Health officials have made public awareness campaigns an annual event following the cryptosporidium outbreak of 2003. Cryptosporidium is a microscopic parasite that causes diarrhea, loose or watery stools, stomach cramps, upset stomach and a slight fever.

There were 96 laboratory-confirmed cases of cryptosporidium in 2003. Last year, there were two confirmed cases in Douglas County.

Local health officials put a plan in action to inform pool operators and customers about the dangers of recreational water illnesses and how to prevent them following the 2003 outbreak.

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“I think we realized we needed to do more to educate the public,” said Kim Ens, disease control program coordinator for the Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department. “There aren’t a lot of outbreaks but these illnesses can be pretty widespread. It doesn’t take much for that to happen.”

Officials with the Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department have met since April with 72 area pool and spa operators – including the city of Lawrence. They also provided educational material to daycare providers and have asked physicians to test patients with persistent diarrhea.

“These illnesses are pretty easy to prevent,” Ens said. “People just need to remember to wash their hands and shower before swimming and they should not go swimming if they are feeling sick or their children are feeling sick. You just need to remember that you’re sharing the water.”

Nationally, recreational water illnesses, such as cryptosporidium, E. coli and giardia, are gaining attention. This week marks the first ever Recreational Water Illness Prevention week.

According to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there has been a steady increase in recreational water illness outbreaks from 1984 to 2002. The increase likely is the result of more people using public waters and improved outbreak detection, CDC officials said.

An estimated 8.1 million pools – public and private – are in use in the United States. About 360 million U.S. residents visit recreational water venues – including swimming pools, spas, lakes and oceans – making swimming the second most popular physical activity in the country. Walking is No. 1.