Response to a Fecal or Other Body Fluid Accident in a Pool/Spa

Body Fluid Spill in Pool/Spa Waters

Diarrheal Fecal Incident

Diarrheal incidents have a higher potential for infectious illnesses to spread due to higher concentration infectious germ released in liquid stool. If there is a diarrheal incident, refer to the CDC's Fecal Incident Response Guidelines for procedures responding to a diarrheal.

Formed Fecal Incident

Formed fecal incidents have a less potential the spread infectious illnesses due to most of the infectious germs located inside the formed stool. However, the formed stool is protecting the internal infectious germs from chlorine disinfection, therefore immediate action should be taken to remove stool. Refer to the CDC's Fecal Incident Response Guidelines for procedure for removal of formed stool.

Vomit and blood

Vomit incidents in pool waters are typically seen after the swallowing of too much pool water. If there is an incident where the contents of the stomach are expelled, respond immediately by following procedures provide by the CDC's Healthy Swimming Vomit & Blood Contamination of Pool Water section.

Infectious germs found in blood spills are killed through dilution and chlorine disinfection in properly chlorinated pool water. A temporary pool closure is not required but can be used to ease any public discomfort.

Body Fluid Spill on Pool/Spa Surfaces

Another health hazard that people do not think about when dealing with pools or spas is a body fluid spill on pool surfaces (i.e. decks, stairs, furniture, etc.). If this occurs, it is equally important to reduce exposure to the swimmers as if the accident occurred within the pool/ spa waters.

These procedures are outlined on a Clean-up and Disinfection for Norovirus fact sheet developed by the CDC.

 Clayton County Board of Health
Office of Environmental Health Services
1 Crown Center 1895 Phoenix Blvd, Suite 350 College Park, GA 30349
Phone: (678) 610-7469   Fax: (770) 603-4874