ABSTRACT
Previous epidemiological studies have detected a substantial risk of gastroenteritis associated with snorkel swimming events in the Bristol City Docks. The event has since been discontinued. Similar risks were not identified at that time for surface-based events. A subsequent fatality from Weil's disease (Leptospirosis) and a case of Hepatitis A associated with surface water immersion in the Bristol City Docks water prompted this study of Leptospiral and Hepatitis A immunity amongst regular windsurfers and waterskiers. Although one person showed evidence of past Leptospiral infection and several people showed evidence of previous Hepatitis A, a causal association with Docks water exposure was not established. Nevertheless, there was sufficient public concern to justify the introduction of precautions against the potential health risks associated with immersion in the City Docks. The study findings and these preventive measures are described.
Subject(s)
Antibodies, Bacterial/analysis , Hepatitis A/immunology , Hepatitis Antibodies/analysis , Immersion , Leptospira interrogans/immunology , Sports , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Child , Cross-Sectional Studies , England , Female , Health Education , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Water MicrobiologyABSTRACT
There are certain health risks associated with recreational exposure to bacteriologically polluted water. In this study, 27% (21/77) of swimmers who took part in a snorkel swimming event, experienced gastrointestinal symptoms within 48 hours of entering the untreated water. The incidence of these symptoms was statistically significantly greater than the incidence of such symptoms reported by two control populations (p less than 0.001), but not significantly different to 25% of people who had experienced gastrointestinal symptoms in a previous snorkel event in the same water environment. As the water quality came within the confidence intervals of the EEC standards for bathing water the adequacy of these standards needs further appraisal.
