Health Warning – Unsafe Recreational Water Quality at Caroline Bay at Virtue Avenue, Caroline Bay at Middle, and Caroline Bay at the Yacht Club

The Community and Public Health team from Canterbury District Health Board has issued a health warning after high levels of faecal bacteria were found in consecutive samples taken from Caroline Bay at Virtue Avenue, Caroline Bay at Middle, and Caroline Bay at the Yacht Club.

A number of other popular swimming sites in South Canterbury may also have high levels of contamination after recent rainfall. People should avoid all rivers and beaches for at least two days after heavy rain.

“Water quality at affected sites is not considered suitable for recreational uses including swimming because of the risk to health from the bacteria and other pathogens,” Dr Alistair Humphrey, Canterbury Medical Officer of Health, says.
Eating shellfish from these sites should be avoided. If fish are eaten, remove the gut and liver and wash in clean water before cooking. For further information on gathering Mahinga Kai refer to information below.
Water contaminated by human or animal faecal matter may contain a range of disease causing micro-organisms such as viruses, bacteria and protozoa.

“In most cases the ill-health effects from exposure to contaminated water are minor and short-lived. However, there is the potential for more serious diseases, such as hepatitis A, or salmonella infection,” Dr Humphrey says.

The sites where water quality is affected are listed on Environment Canterbury’s website, he says.

ENDS
For more information on affected sites visit: http://ecan.govt.nz/services/online-services/monitoring/swimming-water-quality/Pages/check-swimming-water-quality.aspx

For more information on mahinga kai:
Mahinga Kai

© Scoop Media