Vancouver's Sunset Beach has been closed to swimmers due to high E. coli levels in the water.
According to Vancouver Coastal Health’s latest beach water quality report, bacteria levels in the area were sampled at 798 parts per 100 ml—almost twice the acceptable limit.
"If people were to swim in the water, there could be a higher risk of infection than there is normally," chief medical health officer Patricia Daly told CTV News.
In a tweet, the Vancouver Park Board said signs have been posted at the beach warning swimmers about the danger.
E. coli are bacteria that are found in human and feces. Daly said the bacteria can enter the body through open wounds and cause skin infections, and swallowing the water could cause symptoms such as vomiting or diarrhea.
Those who develop any redness, swelling or gastrointestinal symptoms should see their doctor.
Daly said VCH believes the high E. coli levels might be related to water coming from False Creek, where she said bacteria levels are "exceedingly high."
"False Creek is never safe for swimming…because it does have high levels of E. coli, but they're much higher even than what we normally see washing out towards Sunset Beach," she said.
Daly said Sunset Beach is likely to remain closed over the long weekend and will reopen once bacteria levels come down.
Snug Cove beach on Bowen Island is also closed due to high concentrations of E. coli and there is an advisory in place after high levels were measured at Kits Point inb Vancouver.
All other beaches in the region are open and safe to swim in, Daly said.
