| 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 collect water samples
at public beaches at least once every month from May to September.
This message was revised on April
4, 2008 and will be updated when conditions change.
LAKE SWIMMING
BEACH CLOSURES
There are no Swimming Beach closures in Kitsap County at
this time.
MARINE
SWIMMING BEACH CLOSURES
There are currently no Closure Advisories
for Marine Swimming Beaches in Kitsap County.
OTHER
LAKE ADVISORIES
There are currently
no additional advisories for Kitsap County Lakes.
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 5:00 pm.
Please Click
here for more information about our swimming beach monitoring
efforts. |
