Fecal contamination has closed the swimming area at a popular beach near English Bay in the city鈥檚 West End.
Metro 91原创 monitors the level of the bacteria E. coli at all of the region鈥檚 beaches and on Wednesday issued a 鈥渘o swimming鈥� warning for Sunset Beach.
Activities that fall under the warning include swimming, surfing, water-skiing and anything in which the body is frequently immersed or wetted, and where water will likely be swallowed.
Metro 91原创 issues this warning when the levels go over 200 E. coli bacteria per 100 litres of water. Sunset Beach is at 231 counts. That compares with the nearby beach of English Bay, which is only at 37 counts and Second Beach at 20 counts.
Another beach that has a 鈥渘o swimming鈥� warning is Eagle Harbour beach in West 91原创, at 240 counts of E. coli bacteria per 100 litres.
When the bacteria counts go this high, the medical health officer requires local government to post a warning sign indicating that the 鈥淭his water is contaminated and is unsafe for swimming.鈥�
E. coli is a large group of bacteria that is commonly found in the intestines of humans and animals.
Most strains of E. coli are harmless, however, some strains can make people sick, causing severe stomach cramps, diarrhea and vomiting. Serious complications of an E. coli infection can include kidney failure.
