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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

A probabilistic model of bathing beach safety.

An improved mathematical model for bathing beach safety is proposed. It is derived by joining the probability of infection from a given dose (Poisson distribution and the probability of acquiring such a dose (lognormal distribution). Even in the absence of better clinical and epidemiological data, the model permits an assessment of relative risk from certain hazards and the design of more meaningful bacteriological standards for individual beaches.

Bacteria↗

Outbreak of Escherichia coli O157 associated with a busy bathing beach.

Between 7 and 20 August 1999 a Public Health Department was notified of seven cases of Escherichia coli O157 infection. Phage typing demonstrated that four were related and three unrelated. The investigation centred around the three cases of E. coli O157 phage type 21/28 who visited the same beach during the last week of July. The fourth related infection was identified as a result of the investigation. Although the investigation failed to identify a source of infection, interviews with the families of the four related cases suggested that they had occupied the same part of the beach on the same day and so it is possible that a contaminated area of beach was the source. We believe this to be the first outbreak of E. coli O157 to be associated with a bathing beach.

Bathing Beaches↗

The occurrence of Candida Albicans in Lake Ontario bathing beaches.

There are inherent weaknesses associated with currently used bacterial fecal pollution indicator systems. Fecal pollution indicator data would be more meaningful if supplemented with information relating to the occurrence of pathogens in recreational water. Through surveys of four bathing beaches on Lake Ontario, it was established that the opportunistically pathogenic yeast Candida albicans occurs in near shore waters. The beaches surveyed could be differentiated on the basis of bacterial fecal pollution indicator levels and numbers of the pathogens C. albicans and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The occurrence of C. albicans and P. aeruginosa appeared to be related to elevated fecal pollution indicator levels. Maximum numbers of all parameters were observed in July and August in association with peak bather loads at the beaches. In only one instance does the data suggest that a beach was subjected to human fecal contamination.

Bathing Beaches↗

Presence of Campylobacter and Salmonella in sand from bathing beaches.

The purpose of this study was to determine the presence of thermophilic Campylobacter spp. and Salmonella spp. in sand from non-EEC standard and EEC standard designated beaches in different locations in the UK and to assess if potentially pathogenic strains were present. Campylobacter spp. were detected in 82/182 (45%) of sand samples and Salmonella spp. in 10/182 (6%). Campylobacter spp. were isolated from 46/92 (50%) of samples from non-EEC standard beaches and 36/90 (40%) from EEC standard beaches. The prevalence of Campylobacter spp. was greater in wet sand from both types of beaches but, surprisingly, more than 30% of samples from dry sand also contained these organisms. The major pathogenic species C. jejuni and C. coli were more prevalent in sand from non-EEC standard beaches. In contrast, C. lari and urease positive thermophilic campylobacters, which are associated with seagulls and other migratory birds, were more prevalent in sand from EEC standard beaches. Campylobacter isolates were further characterized by biotyping and serotyping, which confirmed that strains known to be of types associated with human infections were frequently found in sand on bathing beaches.

Bathing Beaches↗

Relationship of microbial indicators to health effects at marine bathing beaches.

Findings are described from the second year of an epidemiological-microbiological study conducted at New York City beaches as part of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency program to develop health effects-recreational water quality criteria. Symptomatology rates among swimmers (defined as immersion of the head in the water) relative to nonswimming but beach-going controls at a "barely acceptable" (BA) beach and a "relatively unpolluted" (RU) beach were examined. Data were collected by contacting family groups at the beach on weekends, obtaining information on bathing activity, and then questioning them by phone some 8--10 days later. In addition measurements were made for a number of potential water quality indicators. It was observed that the symptom rates, categorized as gastrointestinal (GI), respiratory, "other", and "disabling" (stayed home, stayed in bed, consulted a physician), were higher among swimmers than nonswimmers. As in the pretest conducted the previous year, the rate of GI symptoms was significantly higher among swimmers relative to nonswimmers at the BA but not the RU beach. Children, Hispanic Americans, and the low-middle socioeconomic groups were identified as the most susceptible portions of the population.

Adolescent↗

[Poisonous animals at bathing beaches].

Tourists and native inhabitants of tropical and subtropical regions differ significantly with regard to the risk and nature of incidents involving venomous and poisonous animals. While the indigenous population encounters such risks daily during work and other activities, tourists are usually endangered while swimming or diving, or by ingesting toxin-containing fish and/or other seafood. Whether abroad or at home, allergic reactions to the stings of bees, wasps and hornets are probably the most common manifestations of an encounter with a "poisonous animal". Travellers should be well acquainted with the dangers entailed in encountering or ingesting a venomous or poisonous animal--prevention is the most important measure.

Animals↗

Tumors and amyloidosis in mice painted with crude oil found on bathing beaches.

Oil lumps collected on the beaches of Israel in 1970, 1971 and 1973 were extracted with pure acetone and the extracts were used to paint the skin of mice twice weekly for 12 months. The oil lumps originated from crude oil spilled from tankers. The less recently collected oils induced papillomata and lymphomata in some animals. They were also more active than the recent oil in the induction of generalized amyloidosis. Mice painted for 12 months with acetone alone developed amyloidosis to a similar extent as those painted with the oldest oil. In previously reported experiments, however, acetone was much less active than the oil in producing amyloidosis after 5 months of painting. The possibility that acetone and oil might act both synergistically or to be antagonistic at different phases of amyloidogenesis is discussed.

Amyloidosis↗

Fecal indicator bacteria are abundant in wet sand at freshwater beaches.

Potential fecal contamination of sand in the wave-washed zone of public bathing beaches is overlooked in beach monitoring programs. Activity in this zone can bring pathogens to the sand surface or into the water, presenting a health risk to sensitive populations. On a unit weight basis (colony forming units per 100g), the mean summer abundance of the fecal indicator bacteria enterococci and Escherichia coli was 3-38 times higher in the top 20 cm of wet-sand cores than in the water column at six freshwater bathing beaches. E. coli were 4 times more abundant than enterococci in water but counts were similar in the sand. A correlation (r=0.60) existed between E. coli counts in the water and in the top 5 cm of sand only, whereas no relationship existed between enterococci abundance in water and sand. In general, enterococci were most numerous in the 5-10 cm sand stratum and E. coli in the 0-5 cm stratum. These preliminary data show that wet freshwater beach sand is a reservoir of fecal indicator bacteria. Enteric pathogens may also be present in beach sand.

Enterococcus↗