MINNEAPOLIS, April 10, 2008—With the case of 6-year-old Abigail Taylor in the news, Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has issued a statement about improving the health record of swimming pools in the state.

In the last nine months there have been nine reported serious incidents at Minnesota swimming pools or water parks, where people became ill, were injured or died.

In one incident, Abigail Taylor suffered serious injuries at the Minneapolis Golf Club pool in St. Louis Park that eventually led to her death. The six-year old was injured when she sat on an open drain in the wading pool; the heavy suction at the drain caused her intestinal tract to be partially removed.

MDH has issued an Administrative Penalty Order against the Minneapolis Golf Club; the club has appealed the order.

Besides the Abigail Taylor incident, others that occurred in Minnesota in the last nine months inc.luded cases of cryptosporidiosis, otitis exertna (“swimmers ear”), chemical burns, and a drowning in a a hotel pool following heavy drinking.

This past month 38 Rocori High School students and staff reported illness after a swimming pool pump was turned on.