About the water quality in the Lipuški swimming area of Lake Rāzna

In recent days there have been cases where people, when visiting bathing sites, are faced with a skin allergy reaction resulting from floating water reservoirs in which the microbiological quality of the water is good and, visually, there is no indication of contamination. In the municipality of Rezekne, a report was received about the rash on the body after swimming in Razna Lake Lipušku bathing site. When communicating with the Health Inspectorate, an explanation was received that it was a “swimming pruritus”. On July 4, the bathing site of the Lake Razna Lake in Lipuškos Mākoņkalna parish and the bathing site OF Luban Lake IN Gaigalavas parish was subjected to the removal and testing of bathing water samples. The quality of bathing water shall comply with the requirements of regulatory enactments after microbiological indicators.

On swimming pruritus

The water reservoir used for swimming is slow or water is stationary (quarries, lakes), as well as if the presence of waterbirds and/or aquatic mammals has been observed, the presence of microscopic parasites that may cause health problems (skin allergy) under the name “swimming pruritus” is possible in the water body. The development and spread of parasites is also exacerbated by hot weather.

An allergic skin reaction after swimming, called “swimming pruritus” or cermatitis dermatitis in the summer months is relatively common throughout the world, including climate change in our geographical area.

In order to avoid adverse effects in areas where contact with parasitarian worm larvae is possible, the Health Inspectorate recommends that the following hygiene and precautionary conditions be complied with:

• For children and other inhabitants who are sensitive to various factors causing allergies, the bathing site should not be used if there is certain information about observed cases where the “swimming pruritus” and the surrounding area of the bathing site indicate that water contamination with microscopic parasites (if the surrounding area is purified, a large number of snails and waterbirds, bears, water rats or other aquatic mammals) are possible.
• Wipe off the towel immediately after the swim or wash in the shower if possible, as the larvae does not attempt to drill into the water, but try to do so at the time when the swimmer has left the water and the skin gradually dries.

• Do not feed waterbirds in bathing areas and bodies of water used for swimming, as it contributes to the attraction of birds to a certain location.

“Swimming pruritus” is caused by reaction to certain microscopic parasitarian worm larvae that infects birds and/or aquatic mammals in their development and then snails. The larvae stage excreted from snails may cause these allergic phenomena to susceptible people. The larvae can't get into the human body and they die in a short time.

We ask all visitors to be careful, thoroughly assess where to go back to summer hot weather, and comply with hygiene requirements, keep track of public bathing sites.

Ruth Sidorova, Senior Environmental Protection Officer of the municipality of Rezekne