| SWIMMING BEACH CLOSURES
AND LAKE ADVISORIES
The following information lists current public
health advisories for Kitsap County lakes, streams and marine
swimming beaches. Health District staff collects water samples
at public beaches at least once every month from May to September.
This message was revised on December
14, 2009 and will be updated when conditions change.
The public is reminded that while swimming is an encouraged and
healthy activity, there are inherent risks with swimming just
like any other daily or recreational activity. Swimming is communal
bathing regardless of whether you are swimming in a lake, pool,
or spa. Fecal-related bacteria and viruses passed from person-to-person
are the most common source of swimming-related illness. In order
to reduce the inherent risks with swimming, the Health District
recommends the following:
HEALTH
TIPS
- Do not swim or enter the water if you are
ill, vomiting, or have diarrhea.
- Do not defecate or urinate in the water.
- Do not allow diapered individuals to enter
the water. Take children on frequent bathroom breaks.
- Wash thoroughly with soap and water after
going to the bathroom or changing a diaper --- especially hands
and other body parts that may have come into contact with fecal
matter.
- Do not ingest swimming water.
- If ill, see your health care provider as
soon as possible.
- Do not swim in water that looks or smells
bad, or areas with visible animal fecal matter on the ground
or in the water.
SAFETY TIPS
- Ensure that you and your family know how
to swim (i.e., take swimming lessons), that you understand your
swimming limitations and stay within your swimming capabilities.
- Never swim alone --- always use the “buddy
system”.
- Use life jackets and other swimming aids
as required or as needed.
- Obey all park or swimming pool rules.
- Learn basic life saving and CPR skills.
CLOSURES
There are no closures at this time
ADVISORIES
There are no closures at this time
_____
Please Click here http://www.kitsapcountyhealth.com/environmenta_health/water_quality/lakes_swimming.htm for more information about our swimming beach monitoring efforts.
PREVENTION - To help prevent Swimmer’s
Itch:
Apply waterproof sunscreen before swimming;
Shower or vigorously towel dry immediately after leaving the water;
Avoid areas with known problems;
Avoid areas with many aquatic plants, snails or waterfowl.
TREATMENT - Itching may be
controlled by using phenolized calamine lotion and/or an antihistamine
such as Benadryl. If there are any signs of secondary skin infection,
individuals should talk to their doctor about proper care and
treatment.
CAUSE - Swimmer’s itch
is caused by a naturally occurring microorganism, a larval schistosome,
which is carried from lake to lake by ducks, geese or other waterfowl.
It’s natural host is an aquatic snail. When human swimmers
leave the water, any larval schistosomes on their skin may burrow
into the skin in an effort to survive. The schistosomes die quickly,
but their presence under the skin can trigger an allergic reaction.
Although the allergic reaction and itching can be an uncomfortable
nuisance, there are no permanent health effects.
REPORTING WATERBORNE ILLNESS
- It’s important to report cases of swimmer’s itch
or other waterborne illnesses to the Health District so that other
people can be warned of any outbreaks. To report a waterborne
illness, swimmers itch, an algae bloom, or if you have any questions
about the Health District’s lake monitoring program, please
call the Health District at (360) 337-5235, Monday through Friday,
between 8 am and 4:30 pm.
Please Click
here for more information about our swimming beach monitoring
efforts. |