Up to 80 kids fall ‘violently ill’ after using same swimming pool in Kent

Up to 80 children have fallen “violently ill” with vomiting and diarrhoea after allegedly swimming at the same leisure centre in Kent.

A one-year-old was admitted to hospital following a pool party at the council-run Splashes Leisure Pool in Rainham.

Her mum, Samantha Kemsley, said she was “overwhelmed” by reports of similar illness after posting on Facebook.

She told KentOnline: “None of our family or friends are unwell — it wasn’t until we arrived home just after 6.30am that it occurred to us, the only place where she had prolonged contact with people was at Splashes.

“With this in mind, I posted on a Facebook page of which I am a member and was overwhelmed with responses from people who has been at Splashes on the same day as us and their children had come down with the same illness.

“I have found that there are over 80 children affected, who we know of so far.”

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On the centre’s Facebook page, another mum Laura Hayland wrote: “My little boy went here on Friday along with his friend and they both became ill.

“Thought they might of just given each other a bug but after talking to more than 20 friends and friends of friends who also went here on Friday they had all been sick!! That can’t just be coincidence!”

A Medway Council spokesperson said: “Following reports of sickness among some children who had visited Splashes on Friday, we are thoroughly cleaning the pool and changing areas and have increased chlorine levels in the pool.

“While we cannot determine whether the illness is linked to Splashes, we have taken necessary precautions to stop the potential further spread of germs. We urge customers not to visit the pool when they are feeling unwell, especially when suffering with sickness, as this would be the most likely cause of any spread of illness to other customers.”