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30/05/2013
Report Published On Thames Swimming Illness
Londoners are being advised that swimming in the Thames can carry a risk of infection and gastrointestinal illness, following the publication of a new report by Public Health England (HE).
The report was produced following an investigation by PHE and event organisers Human Race into an outbreak of gastrointestinal illness amongst participants of the Hampton Court Swim, which took place on Sunday 7 October 2012 between Hampton Court and Kingston Bridge.
Over 1,000 people took part in the swim, with 338 participants afterwards reporting symptoms of illness including nausea, diarrhoea, stomach cramps and vomiting.
The investigation found that no one single cause of illness in the majority of people could be identified.
Those who were ill were more likely to have swallowed river water.
Surprisingly, wearing a wetsuit was also associated with increased risk of becoming ill, which the report said could be down to inadequate hygiene precautions when handling wetsuits after swimming.
Interestingly, previous experience of swimming in an open water event in a river in the past two years and being over 40 years of age was associated with reduced risk.
Dr Yvonne Doyle, regional director for PHE London, said: "Open water swimming is growing in popularity in the UK. Many people may already be aware that swimming in natural rivers and lakes, which may not be designated bathing waters, carries a risk of picking up infections.
"Further research is needed to make evidence-based recommendations for swimmers and event organisers, however there are practical measures swimmers can take to reduce the risk of illness such as minimising the swallowing of river water, showering soon after swimming and washing hands before eating."
(IT/CD)
The report was produced following an investigation by PHE and event organisers Human Race into an outbreak of gastrointestinal illness amongst participants of the Hampton Court Swim, which took place on Sunday 7 October 2012 between Hampton Court and Kingston Bridge.
Over 1,000 people took part in the swim, with 338 participants afterwards reporting symptoms of illness including nausea, diarrhoea, stomach cramps and vomiting.
The investigation found that no one single cause of illness in the majority of people could be identified.
Those who were ill were more likely to have swallowed river water.
Surprisingly, wearing a wetsuit was also associated with increased risk of becoming ill, which the report said could be down to inadequate hygiene precautions when handling wetsuits after swimming.
Interestingly, previous experience of swimming in an open water event in a river in the past two years and being over 40 years of age was associated with reduced risk.
Dr Yvonne Doyle, regional director for PHE London, said: "Open water swimming is growing in popularity in the UK. Many people may already be aware that swimming in natural rivers and lakes, which may not be designated bathing waters, carries a risk of picking up infections.
"Further research is needed to make evidence-based recommendations for swimmers and event organisers, however there are practical measures swimmers can take to reduce the risk of illness such as minimising the swallowing of river water, showering soon after swimming and washing hands before eating."
(IT/CD)
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