Water Observances

Recreational Water Illness Prevention Week

Overview

Photo of a girl going down a waterslide The week preceding Memorial Day has been designated as National Recreational Water Illness Prevention Week. This yearly observance is an opportunity for swimmers to learn more about recreational water illnesses (RWIs) and the steps they can take to protect themselves. Our goal is to highlight the importance of healthy swimming, healthy swimming behaviors, and recreational water illness prevention. This is done by emphasizing operation and prevention tips for pool operators and pool patrons to ensure a healthy swimming experience.

What are RWIs?

RWIs are illnesses that are spread by swallowing, breathing, or having contact with contaminated water from swimming pools, water parks, spas, interactive fountains, lakes, rivers, or oceans. Diarrhea is the most common RWI, and it is often caused by germs like Cryptosporidium ("Crypto"), Giardia, Norovirus, Shigella, and E. coli O157:H7. Other common RWIs include skin, ear, respiratory, eye, neurologic, and wound infections. Children, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems are most at risk for RWIs.

Official Website

http://www.cdc.gov/healthyswimming/rwi_prevention_week.htm (CDC)

Dates of Celebration and Additional Resources

2009

May 18-24, 2009

2008

May 19-25, 2008

2007

May 21-27, 2007

2006

May 22-29, 2006

2005

May 23-30, 2005

MMWR: Notice to Readers: National Recreational Water Illness Prevention Week (2005)

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