Most dead animals in pools do not pose a health risk to swimmers. If you find a dead animal in the pool, following the simple removal and disinfection steps below will help ensure healthy swimming in the pool.
Dead raccoons in pools, however, can pose a health risk to swimmers. This is because raccoons might be infected with a worm called Baylisascaris, which can be spread to humans. For more information, go to CDC’s
Raccoons and Pools page.
What should I do if I find a dead animal in the pool?*
Follow these steps to remove the animal and disinfect the water:
•Close the pool to swimmers.
•Put on disposable gloves.
•Use a net or bucket to remove the dead animal from the pool.
•Double bag the animal in plastic garbage bags.
•Clean off any debris or dirt from the item used to remove the dead animal.
•Remove gloves and place them in the garbage bags.
•Close the garbage bags and place them in a sealed trash can to help keep wild animals away from the dead animal.
•Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water immediately.
•Raise the free chlorine concentration to, or maintain it at, 2 parts per million (ppm); maintain the pH levels at 7.5 or less; keep the temperature at 77°F (25°C) or higher. The free chlorine and pH should remain at these levels for 30 minutes.
•Confirm that the filtration system is operating properly during this time.
•Disinfect the item used to remove the dead animal by immersing it in the pool during the 30 minute disinfection time.
*These cleaning and disinfection steps are for animals commonly reported to be found dead in pools. Pre-weaned calves and lambs are often infected with Cryptosporidium, a chlorine-tolerant germ, and could pose a health risk to swimmers if found dead in a pool. After removing a dead calf or lamb from the pool, decontaminate the water by following CDC’s
Hyperchlorination to Kill Cryptosporidium.
http://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/swimmin ... pools.html
