EPA WARNS OF SWIMMING RELATED ILLNESSES

FROM:  U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY 

Human Health

Most of the time when beaches are closed or advisories are issued, it's because the water has high levels of harmful microorganisms (or microbes) that come from untreated or partially treated sewage: bacteria, viruses, or parasites. We also use the word "pathogens" when they can cause disease in humans, animals, and plants.
Illnesses.

hildren, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems are most likely to develop illnesses or infections after coming into contact with polluted water, usually while swimming. The most common illness is gastroenteritis, an inflammation of the stomach and the intestines that can cause symptoms like vomiting, headaches, and fever. Other minor illnesses include ear, eye, nose, and throat infections

Fortunately, while swimming-related illnesses are unpleasant, they are usually not very serious - they require little or no treatment or get better quickly upon treatment, and they have no long-term health effects. In very polluted water, however, swimmers can sometimes be exposed to more serious diseases like dysentery, hepatitis, cholera, and typhoid fever.

Most swimmers are exposed to waterborne pathogens when they swallow the water. People can get some infections simply from getting polluted water on their skin or in their eyes. In rare cases, swimmers can develop illnesses or infections if an open wound is exposed to polluted water.

Not all illnesses from a day at the beach are from swimming. Food poisoning from improperly refrigerated picnic lunches may also have some of the same symptoms as swimming-related illnesses, including stomachache, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

It is also possible that people may come into contact with harmful chemicals in beach waters during or after major storms, especially if they swim near what we call “outfalls,” where sewer lines drain into the water. You can learn more about this by visiting our web site for stormwater.

Finally, the sun can hurt you if you're not careful. Overexposure can cause sunburn, and over time, it can lead to more serious problems like skin cancer. The sun can also dehydrate you and cause heat-related illnesses like heat exhaustion, muscle cramps, and heat stroke. Learn more about sun safety at our SunWise site or heat-related illnesses at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention site.

How to Stay Safe

There are several things you can do to reduce the likelihood of getting sick from swimming at the beach. First, you should find out if the beach you want to go to is monitored regularly and posted for closures or swimming advisories. You are less likely to be exposed to polluted water at beaches that are monitored regularly and posted for health hazards.

In areas that are not monitored regularly, choose swimming sites in less developed areas with good water circulation, such as beaches at the ocean. If possible, avoid swimming at beaches where you can see discharge pipes or at urban beaches after a heavy rainfall.

To find out about the beaches you want to visit, contact the local beach manager.

Since most swimmers are exposed to pathogens by swallowing the water, you will be less likely to get sick if you wade or swim without putting your head under water.

HAITI AND CHOLERA

Map Credit:  U.S. State Department
FROM: U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT
Fast Facts on the U.S. Government's Work in Haiti: Cholera
Fact Sheet
Office of the Haiti Special Coordinator
July 25, 2012
The Challenge
On October 21, 2010, the Haitian Ministry of Health and Population (MSPP) confirmed cases of cholera for the first time in at least a century.

Accomplishments
At the request of the Government of Haiti, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)—already helping Haiti to build sustainable health systems to detect and combat the spread of communicable diseases in the aftermath of the devastating January 2010 earthquake—immediately began working with the MSPP and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) to lessen the severity of the outbreak.

Through June 2012, the U.S. Government (USG) provided expertise and more than $95 million to prevent additional cholera cases and support the response by:
Distributing products to purify drinking water, soap for washing hands and household items, and oral rehydration salts to prevent dehydration in people with acute, watery diarrhea.
Working side-by-side with MSPP and other partners to establish a national system for tracking cases of cholera.
Supporting staff and commodities for 45 cholera treatment facilities and 117 oral rehydration posts through cooperative agreements with USAID, CDC, the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) partners, other non-governmental organizations, and MSPP.
Developing cholera education materials to train more than 6,000 community health workers who are funded to conduct educational activities and outreach on cholera prevention and treatment in communities throughout Haiti.
Improving access to clean water in communities by providing support to drill new wells, repair others, and promote safe water practices.
Evaluating the effectiveness of large-scale distributions of hygiene items in collaboration with Haiti’s National Direction for Potable Water and Sanitation (DINEPA) and the U.N. Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
As of June 2012, Haiti has reported approximately 554,114 cases of cholera and an estimated 7,249 deaths. Though deaths from cholera were high in the first few months of the epidemic, Haitian-led, internationally-supported efforts have helped to significantly reduce fatality rates.

Challenges Ahead
Access to clean water and availability of sanitation systems are limited in Haiti, and cholera is likely to persist until access to adequate water and sanitation improves. The USG is committed to strengthening the Haitian healthcare system to contain the future outbreaks and treat the Haitian people. In line with MSPP’s desire to integrate cholera prevention and treatment into overall health programming, the USG is working more broadly on the prevention and treatment of all causes of diarrheal diseases. To reduce vulnerability to cholera and other diarrheal diseases, we are supporting the Haitian government and USG partners in improving access to treated drinking water at the community and household levels in both urban and rural communities. In addition, the USG, in collaboration with PAHO, UNICEF, and the Haitian government, helped launch the Coalition on Water and Sanitation for the Elimination of Cholera on the island of Hispaniola. This initiative calls for major investments in safe water, sanitation, and hygiene, particularly in Haiti.