If you’re thinking of taking a dip in the ocean, make sure you check beach advisories first!
Island Health has released an alert, warning the public that several popular beaches have been found to contain unsatisfactory levels of enterococci.
According to the National Institute of Health, enterococci is found in soil, water, food, sewage, plants, human skin, the oral cavity, and the large intestine.
The enterococci living in the large intestine causes no harm, however, it’s when we are exposed to enterococci found in water, food, sewage and food that can cause infection.
Developing an enterococcal infection can manifest as sepsis, a urinary tract infection (UTI), and infections of the heart and brain.
It is a tough organism, which can make it difficult to treat and resistant to certain antibiotics.
The following beaches were found to contain enterococci:
- Willows Beach South End
- Mount Douglas Park Beach
- Esquimalt Gorge Park Kinsmen Beach
In addition to these warnings, earlier advisories for Glen Lake Park, Patricia Bay Beach North, Prior Lake, and Ross Bay Beach remain in effect.
A blue-green algae warning from the Capital Regional District is also still in place for Beaver Lake and Prior Lake.
Related: Island Health warns Victorians to avoid swimming in these 5 lakes
To learn more and to check all of the current beach advisories for the Greater Victoria area, visit Island Health’s website.
