Jack Wilson
Special to The Record
The City of Sherbrooke cancelled all activities at the Montcalm pool, following cases of redness in the eyes and difficulty breathing for some swimmers on April 26. This follows an earlier cancellation between March 22 and April 6, which was brought about by similar incidents.
Leisure and lane swim, as well as lifeguarding and swimming lessons are cancelled. The Montcalm pool was the only facility where the City offered such services.
Staff reported four incidents on April 26, said Mélissa Généreux, a doctor who investigated the case for the CIUSSS de l’Estrie-CHUS. Généreux said she had heard of further incidents on the same day, including an asthma attack at the pool.
In March, public health authorities identified a pattern of problems related to the pool, she said. “People spending several hours per day at the pool were developing different symptoms, including irritation of the eyes and difficulties breathing.”
Généreux was quick to point out that the rashes and difficulty breathing were not of long-term concern. “I want to reassure the population that these are short-term effects.”
Prior to the March 22 closure, there were about 20 reported cases, she said. Though the pool is part of the Mitchell-Montcalm school, none of those cases were linked to school activities.
