Advisory Issued About Possible Swimmer’s Itch In Utah County Pond
Aug 8, 2019, 3:19 PM
(Courtesy Pleasant Grove City)
(Courtesy Pleasant Grove City)
PLEASANT GROVE, Utah – Officials in one Utah County city have issued an advisory after learning about the possibility of swimmer’s itch in a popular pond.
Officials with Pleasant Grove City issued the advisory after receiving complaints Wednesday from swimmers at the Manila Creek Pond, located at 3300 North 900 West.
Several swimmers reported rashes and itching after spending time in the water.
After contacting the Utah County Health Department, city officials learned there had been similar reports from other swimmers at ponds and lakes across the county.
Health officials said there was a possibility of the presence of microscopic parasites in the water, causing the swimmer’s itch.
They said the parasites were brought on by the presence of ducks and infected snails in the water. Not everyone is susceptible to the parasite.
“It is an allergic reaction that not everyone will have,” city officials said in a Facebook post.
Workers were expected to post a sign at the pond, warning swimmers of the issue.
The city said they planned to remove the ducks from the pond in the fall.
