State investigates spray park illnesses

By The Associated Press

Tuesday, August 23, 2005 9:39 AM EDT

ALBANY - A New York state assemblyman is launching an inquiry into the state-run water playground that may have spread more than 2,000 cases of gastrointestinal illnesses.
"All visitors to New York State Parks should be confident that they will have a healthy and safe experience," State Assemblyman Joseph Morelle said.

The number of reported gastrointestinal illnesses possibly spread by the water playground at Seneca Lake Park has grown to 2,202 cases across 24 counties in western and central New York as of Monday.

So far, 13 cases in four different counties have been confirmed as cryptosporidiosis.

Tests conducted by the Health Department have found the presence of cryptosporidium in two storage tanks that supply water for the spray park.

The Health Department initially shut down the sprayground temporarily last week after receiving more than 100 reported cases of illness dating back to early July.

Morelle, a Democrat from Irondequoit, chairs the Assembly Committee on Tourism, Arts and Sports Development that oversees the state park system and attractions in New York.

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