Adoption of CDC’s Model Aquatic Health Code

From 2000 to 2017, CDC received more than 600 reports of infectious disease outbreaks linked to treated recreational water venues, such as pools, hot tubs, and water playgrounds. Most of these outbreaks were in places like public pools, waterparks, spas, and other aquatic venues. Additionally, drowning is a leading cause of unintentional injury and death in children ages 1 to 4 years, and pool chemical injuries lead to about 4,500 visits to U.S. emergency departments annually. CDC’s Model Aquatic Health Code (MAHC) is a set of recommendations that can be adopted by local jurisdictions to prevent illness and injury through the design, construction, operation, and management of public treated recreational water venues. CDC released the first edition of the MAHC in 2014 and two revised editions in 2016 and 2018. Now CDC is focused on developing a plan to increase voluntary MAHC adoption by local and state jurisdictions.

Learn about other foodborne, waterborne, and fungal disease prevention priorities.