ADAMS TWP — The Adams Ridge Pool is closed through Thursday after at least two children who swam there on Memorial Day tested positive for E. coli and C. diff, two bacteria that cause gastrointestinal symptoms.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health said Wednesday it was conducting an “outbreak investigation of gastrointestinal infections associated with the Adams Ridge community swimming pool.”

A posting on the Adams Ridge community's website Tuesday stated that up to eight children who swam there May 31 have experienced or are currently experiencing gastrointestinal cramping and diarrhea, and two of those eight children tested positive for two bacteria that cause such symptoms.

Cranberry Community Management, a company that manages the homeowners association's business, did not return a request for comment Wednesday.

A health official and the homeowners association's pool maintenance company took samples of the water Tuesday to test for the presence of both E. coli and C. diff, potentially among other bacteria, according to the community's website. The posting notes, however, that the same bacteria tests are performed each week throughout the summer and lab results from a June 3 test do not show the presence of bacteria in the water.

An earlier post, dated Sunday, states a child who swam in the pool — which is in Adams Township — on Memorial Day was diagnosed with C. diff after visiting the emergency room June 3.

Although the post identifies the organization that conducted the testing as the “Butler County Health Department,” no such organization exists. County Commissioner chairwoman Leslie Osche said no county department handles the testing of swimming pool water.

Instead, the state health department identified itself as investigating the outbreak of gastrointestinal infections.

The state health department said it wants to take the opportunity to remind Pennsylvanians of safe swimming practices.

“Do not swim if you are sick with diarrhea,” a spokesperson said. “Individuals with gastrointestinal infections should avoid swimming in recreational waters for two weeks following the resolution of their symptoms.”

The state Department of Health asks parents whose children have fallen ill after swimming in the pool to contact the department at 1-877-PA-HEALTH (1-877-724-3258), and urged parents to seek medical care with their child's primary care physician.