Santa Cruz swim center reopens following infection scare

The Simpkins Family Swim Center in Santa Cruz is open once again to swimmers, following an infection scare.

On Thursday, the County announced that all four pools at the center had been cleaned following news that two cases of cryptosporidium infection were found in children who had visited the facility on July 13. The County said both infected children are recovering.

Although no direct link between the two cases of infection and the Simpkins center was established, officials decided to close the facility as a precaution. The cleaning process, known as hyperchlorination, raises chlorine levels above normal levels for more than 12 hours.

Cryptosporidium causes gastrointestinal symptoms, with an incubation period of 1-12 days. Anyone who visited the pool in the last 12 days and is having similar symptoms should contact their doctor.