The Cause Behind Water Polo Players’ Sickness Remains A Mystery

A water polo championship for under-14 is being conducted at the Auckland Aquatic Center in Henderson. Six 12 to 14-year-old players became sick after participating in a game at the West Wave Aquatic Centre on Dec 10. The affected players developed nausea and respiratory problems and had to be admitted in the hospital.

Waitakere City Council spokesman Dai Bindoff said, 'The council is deeply concerned by what had occurred and investigations are continuing into the cause, which remains a mystery.'

The water used was of high quality, and the levels of chlorine was normal and well within guidelines.

Mr Bindoff was perplexed as nothing like this has ever happened in the past.

'We are still struggling to understand what has happened here,' Mr Bindoff said.

'We have had people working on possible explanations since yesterday, but so far have not come to any definite conclusions.'

The aquatic centre's main pool has been closed since then and will remain closed until air quality testing for chlorine gas has been completed.

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'We've got thousands of users every day so we've not taken this decision lightly,' he said of the closure.

'But when you've got kids getting sick, you have to do something.'

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The other pools at the complex are not affected. In all, 60 children competed.

Source-Medindia
PRI/S