CDC warns pools, hot tubs, water parks are hotbed for disease outbreaks
You may want to think twice about jumping in that hotel pool or taking the kids to a popular water park nearby. >> Read more trending news According to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, contaminated recreational waters led to 493 reported disease outbreaks between 2000 and 2014. These outbreaks, commonly caused by pathogens or chemicals, resulted in at least 27,219 cases and eight deaths. About half of the outbreaks started between June and August. Public health officials examined data from 46 states and Puerto Rico for the report and found that hotel pools and hot tubs contributed to about one-third (32 percent) of the outbreaks. Public parks came in second (23 percent), then club/rec facilities (14 percent) and water parks (11 percent). While no significant trend was observed after 2007, the CDC said outbreaks caused by the parasite Cryptosporidium, also known as crypto, increased 25 percent per year between 2000 and 2006. >> Related: 11 water safety tips all parents need to know Of the 363 outbreaks with a microorganism as the culprit, 58 percent were classified as Crypto. Crypto can spread when people swallow something that’s come into contact with an ill person’s feces, such as pool water contaminated with diarrhea, according to the CDC. “Swallowing just a mouthful of water contaminated with Crypto can make otherwise healthy people sick for up to three weeks with watery diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea, or vomiting, and can lead to dehydration,” the CDC states on its website. The parasite is highly resistant to pool chemicals aimed at cleaning the waters, including chlorine and bromine. The CDC recommends anyone, adults or children, who has experienced diarrhea should wait two weeks before getting in pools, hot tubs or other public water containers and parks. Additionally, avoid swallowing water when swimming, rinse off in the shower before entering the water and take children on bathroom breaks often. >> Related: 9 swimming holes that'll make you forget the pools are closed Unlike Crypto, parasites Legionella and Pseudomonas can both be effectively controlled by halogens (chlorine, bromine) if the water is properly dosed. Unfortunately, 20 percent of public pools and hot tubs aren’t properly dosed with disinfectant. Legionella can lead to a pneumonia-like condition known as Legionnaire’s disease or a flu-like condition called Pontiac fever. Legionella is transmitted when aerosolized water droplets often produced by hot tubs and spa jets are inhaled. The number of outbreaks caused by Legionella increased 14 percent per year, according to the CDC report, but only accounted for 3 percent of the 363 identified microorganism outbreaks. Pseudomonas, transmitted when skin comes in contact with contaminated water, may lead to rashes near the ear canal and otitis externa (or swimmer’s ear). Pseudomonas accounted for about 4 percent of the 363 outbreaks.
McDonald’s workers file sex harassment claims
Energized by the #MeToo movement, two national advocacy groups are teaming up to lodge sexual harassment complaints against McDonald’s on behalf of 10 women who have worked at the fast food restaurant in nine cities. The workers — one of them a 15-year-old from St. Louis — alleged groping, propositions for sex, indecent exposure and lewd comments by supervisors. According to their complaints, when the women reported the harassment, they were ignored or mocked, and in some cases suffered retaliation. The legal effort was organized by Fight for $15, which campaigns to raise pay for low-wage workers. The legal costs are being covered by the TIMES UP Legal Defense Fund, which was launched in January by the National Women’s Law Center to provide attorneys for women who cannot afford to bring cases on their own. The complaints, filed with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, are being announced on Tuesday, two days ahead of the company’s annual shareholder meeting in Oak Brook, Illinois. Responding to the claims, McDonald’s spokeswoman Terri Hickey said there is “no place for harassment and discrimination of any kind” in the workplace.
USPS announces first scratch and sniff postal stamps
Ahh ... the smell of summer and freshly delivered mail? The United States Postal Service announced Monday that it is adding a new feature to its postage stamps: scratch and sniff. And the first outing for the new design will come with the smell of popsicles that harken back to long and hot summer days. >> Read more trending news The new Frozen Treats Forever stamps won’t be out until June 20, but when they do come out of the post office “freezer,” the USPS alluded to the fruit-like smell like kiwi, watermelon, blueberries, oranges and strawberries the stamps could have. Some may also smell like chocolate, root beer and cola. And while mail senders, and stamp collectors, will have to wait about a month to get their hands on the new designs, they can be preordered and will be delivered right to your door after the official release. The site also shows other variations of stamps that are currently available. The current rate to send a first class letter is 50 cents. The Forever stamp will be accepted as postage whether that rate rises or falls.
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