Survival of MRSA in swimming pools
Warm spells in early spring, like the recent warm spell in our area, inevitably lead to (premature) thoughts of summer, and for many people, this includes thoughts of spending time in the swimming pool. I've previously written about the presumably low risk of disease transmission from dogs swimming in pools, and common sense measures that can be taken to reduce any risks. Since more and more people and dogs are carrying resistant bacteria like MRSA, there are increasing questions about the potential for pools to be a source of transmission. A recent paper in the journal Clinical Pediatrics (Gregg & LaCroix, 2010) sheds some light on the issue.
In this study, the researchers obtained different types of swimming pool water (chlorinated water, saltwater, and biguanide (Baquacil) nonchlorinated water) from local pools. No MRSA was identified in any of the samples. They then inoculated the water samples with MRSA. They used a lot of MRSA - roughly similar to the amount that would be released from an MRSA abscess (and much, much greater than the amount that would be released from someone who was just an MRSA carrier). MRSA numbers were greatly diminished after 30 minutes and no MRSA was detected after 1 hour.
This study suggests that pools are likely not a significant source of MRSA exposure. Even with high-level contamination, MRSA died quickly. Presumably, there would be little MRSA shed by a person that was only a carrier, and when you consider the dilutional effect of a small amount of MRSA in a large volume of water, plus the bactericidal effects of treated water, the risks should be extremely low. Common sense would dictate that someone with an MRSA infection shouldn't go in the water because they could shed large numbers of bacteria, but this study suggests that the risks are probably minimal and short-term even then.
Bottom line: Don't worry about pools in terms of MRSA. Pools are a greater risk for certain causes of gastrointestinal disease like norovirus and Cryptosporidium. If you or your dog has an infectious disease, stay out of pools. If not, and you are otherwise healthy, then don't worry. There's always some risk of exposure to infectious disease, but it's very low. Life is full of risks and swimming in a pool is not a big one (at least from an infectious disease standpoint. If you can't swim, that's a different story!).
Image from: http://blog.timesunion.com
How to remove a skunk from a pool
This morning, as my dog Meg and I went out to get the newspaper, she ran towards our pool fence, barking (pretty unusual for a dog that is afraid of chipmunks). I wondered what the issue was until I saw a black and white tail sticking out. The pool has been closed for the season and there was a skunk standing on the cover. The cover's about 1.5 feet below the deck and the skunk couldn't get out.
After going over various options, like putting things in for the skunk to climb out on (unsuccessful), getting a live trap (too lazy to go find one), scooping it up with the pool skimmer net (a matter of how badly I'd be sprayed, not whether I'd be sprayed), getting a wildlife removal person in (too cheap to get someone else to do it) or lacing food with a sedative, I came up with the following plan:
- Find a large garbage pail with a handle. Tie a long rope to one handle.
- Place the garbage pail on its side in the pool, with the handle tied to the rope on top.
- Lure the skunk into the pail (e.g. with food) or, as I did, herd it in using a LONG pole.
- When the skunk is inside, pull on the rope to tip the garbage pail back up.
- Cover the garbage pail. A plastic kiddie pool works well.
- Carefully but quickly lift the covered garbage pail out of the pool.
- RUN... upwind.
It worked for me... no guarantees however.
Dogs and swimming pools
My dog, like most labs, loves to swim (actually, she's incredibly lazy and prefers to wallow in the water, not actually exert herself). Many dogs like her often go into swimming pools in the summer, which leads to the question "Is this an infectious disease risk?"
The honest answer is we don't really know. The reasonable answer is the risks are pretty low, especially when a little common sense is exercised. You are probably more likely to get a pool-associated infection from another person than a dog, although the risks are not zero. A dog is probably less likely to defecate in the pool than an infant or toddler!
Various infectious diseases such as cryptosporidiosis, norovirus infection and E. coli O157 have been linked to swimming pools - all associated with transmission from people. As with most infections, the very young, elderly, immunocompromised and pregnant women are at higher risk.
Like many things in life, there is some degree of risk associated with letting the pooch go for a dip in the pool, but you have to consider the risks and benefits together. The overall risk of infection from swimming with a pet in a well-maintained pool is quite low. The risks is probably even lower in a household pool (where dogs would have access) compared to a heavily-used public pool. Good general practices can reduce the risks further. Chlorine can kill most (but not all) possible causes of infectious diarrhea, but it doesn't work instantly. If someone or something contaminates the pool, there is a window of opportunity, that may last minutes to hours, for transmission of infection. However, some pathogens can survive for days in a pool, if not more. Therefore, chlorination is useful but not fool-proof.
- Keep dogs that have vomiting, diarrhea or skin infections out of the pool. Dogs that have had diarrhea should probably be kept out of the pool for a couple weeks.
- Don't allow dogs known to be shedding infectious agents like Salmonella and Giardia in the pool. Some healthy dogs shed these organisms and it's certain that infected dogs go into pools with no problems, but if you know that a dog is shedding an infectious agent it shouldn't be in a pool.
- Don't allow dogs that have fecal staining of their haircoat in the pool.
- The same rules should apply to people. People with diarrhea should stay out of the pool since they are probably a greater risk for transmitting disease. It has been recommended that people not use a pool if they've had diarrhea in the past week.
The CDC has a good site about recreational water illnesses, which can be accessed by clicking here.
