McMenamins Bothell Pool Cryptosporidiosis Outbreak Declared Over

King County Public Health has declared the cryptosporidiosis outbreak linked to a McMenamins pool in Bothell, Washington, over, according to a report from KIRO 7 News Seattle.

The department's determination marks the close of a public health investigation into illness connected to the facility. KIRO 7's report did not specify the number of confirmed cases, the exact closure and reopening dates, or the criteria used to declare the outbreak resolved; those details were not available in the source material reviewed for this report.

What is cryptosporidiosis?

Cryptosporidiosis is an illness caused by Cryptosporidium, a microscopic parasite that can survive in chlorinated water for extended periods, a trait that distinguishes it from many bacteria that chlorine kills quickly. The parasite is a recognized cause of recreational water illness outbreaks tied to pools, splash pads, and water parks nationally. Symptoms commonly associated with the illness include watery diarrhea, stomach cramps, and dehydration, though the specific symptom profile reported among those affected at the Bothell location was not detailed in the KIRO 7 account reviewed here.

Where was the outbreak linked to McMenamins' Bothell pool?

The outbreak was associated with a swimming pool operated by McMenamins in Bothell, Washington, per the KIRO 7 report cited by King County Public Health. The report did not include additional specifics on how the illness cluster was first identified or how many patrons may have been exposed.

How did health officials determine the outbreak is over?

Public health agencies typically close out a waterborne illness investigation once a sufficient period has passed without new confirmed cases tied to the implicated water source, combined with facility remediation such as draining, cleaning, and hyperchlorination treatment capable of killing Cryptosporidium. The KIRO 7 report attributes the outbreak-over determination to King County Public Health but does not detail the specific remediation steps taken at the Bothell pool or the length of the case-free window used to reach that conclusion.

What should swimmers watch for after a possible exposure?

Health guidance for cryptosporidiosis generally calls for anyone experiencing persistent watery diarrhea after pool exposure to contact a health care provider, since the parasite can shed in stool for weeks after symptoms resolve and standard pool chlorine levels do not reliably eliminate it. The source material reviewed for this report did not include specific guidance issued by King County Public Health to patrons of the Bothell location, so readers seeking facility-specific instructions should consult the originating KIRO 7 report or King County's health department directly.

What remains unclear from available reporting

The KIRO 7 item establishes the outbreak's end but leaves open several questions a fuller public health report would typically address, including total case counts, the timeline from first report to closure, and whether McMenamins made any pool access or remediation announcements beyond the county's determination. Readers can review the full KIRO 7 story for any additional detail not captured in this summary.