Canterbury District Health Board’s Community and Public
Health unit has issued a health warning after high levels of
faecal bacteria were found in consecutive samples taken from
in Te Roto o Waihora (Lake Ellesmere) at Lakeside
Domain.
Dr Ramon Pink Canterbury Medical Officer of
Health, says “Water quality at affected site is not
considered suitable for recreational uses including swimming
because of the risk to health from the bacteria and other
pathogens”.
“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 health effects from exposure to faecal bacteria,”
Dr Pink 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.
The sites where water quality is affected
are listed on and Land, Air Water Aotearoa
website.
Monitoring of the site will continue weekly
and the public will be advised when the site is safe for
recreational use.
For further details visit:
https://www.lawa.org.nz/explore-data/canterbury-region/
Or
contact Community and Public Health on (03) 364
1777:
https://www.cph.co.nz/your-health/recreational-water/
For
more information about Mahinga Kai:
https://www.cph.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/saf0112.pdf
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