Officials link illness to Duluth water park

The Minnesota Department of Health has linked several cases of a parasitic disease to a Duluth water park.

The illness called cryptosporidium has flu-like symptoms, which can take anywhere from two days to two weeks to appear. Department of Health epidemiologist Trisha Robinson says they've confirmed three cases, and are investigating six additional suspected cases related to the Edgewater Resort and Water Park in Duluth.

Leanne Joynes, spokesperson for ZMC Hotels, says the company voluntarily closed the park and disinfected the water as a precaution before opening again. She says nothing similar has happened since the park opened in 2005.

"We actually employ much stricter pool chemical guidelines protocol wise than either the county or the state require but we have a certified facility operator on staff as well as certified pool operators we have about ten certified pool oper and we have one certified facility operator and they are schooled at a higher level," she said.

Robinson says officials expect there could be additional cases as more people who visited the park become ill. And Minnesota health officials are urging people who may have contracted a waterborne illness at the park to contact their health providers.

"If anybody has diarrhea currently or has been recently ill with diarrhea in the last two weeks we highly recommend and encourage that they not go swimming in any type of recreational water facility. This is for the benefit of all individuals, to keep everybody healthy," Robsinson said.