A YORK swimming pool has closed following an outbreak of a contagious sickness bug.

Public Health England and City of York Council investigated Dolphin Swim School, which runs classes at an industrial estate in Nether Poppleton six days a week, after an outbreak of giardiasis.

Giardiasis is an illness caused by the parasite Giardia, and PHE said it has several unpleasant symptoms, including diarrhoea, abdominal cramps, foul-smelling flatulence and belching, nausea and bloating.

The first report of the outbreak happened this summer, and the school closed of its own accord in October following investigations by Public Health England and City of York Council's Environmental Health officers.

Dr Simon Padfield, consultant in communicable disease control at PHE Yorkshire and the Humber, said: "The number of cases linked to the outbreak remains under review.

"The pool was suspected as the source of the outbreak in October 2015 and subsequent investigations promptly carried out by PHE and the City of York Council Environmental Health Officers found that the first cases linked to the outbreak were confirmed in August 2015. The pool voluntarily closed as soon as it was suspected as the source of the outbreak, so does not present an ongoing risk to public health. However, the illness can pass from person to person and so it’s important we remain vigilant and follow up any further cases that come to light."

The school's website said they were "dedicated to teaching individuals from babies to children how to swim safely and confidently", with "various classes across York".

The illness can be treated with antibiotics, but anyone affected by the illness was urged not to go swimming for a fortnight to avoid infecting others.

Dr Padfield said: "The symptoms can be mild, but can also be associated with more severe illness and last for many weeks, often leading to weight loss.

"Current advice that has been given to people who have used the pool at Dolphin Swim School and have been confirmed to have giardiasis is to avoid swimming for two weeks after the symptoms have stopped to ensure they are no longer infectious to others. This is longer than the standard 48 hour advice given and has been advised as an extra precaution."

Attempts by The Press to contact Dolphin Swim School have so far been unsuccessful.