Now, you can take a dip in the waters of Nazaré's beach
Nazaré beach in Leiria, Portugal, reopened to the public on Saturday following a two-day closure due to a contamination incident. The incident was caused by a recent technical failure in the local rainwater system, leading to an abnormal discharge of sewage into the storm drains near the coastline [1][2][3].
The discharge contaminated the seawater with fecal matter, resulting in gastrointestinal illnesses such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea among beachgoers. Over 116 people, including many children and adolescents, required medical assistance after exposure to the contaminated water.
In response, the municipal authorities immediately closed Nazaré beach to bathing on Friday as a precaution while water quality analyses were conducted. Continuous monitoring and epidemiological investigations were carried out by the local health units to track and manage the health impacts.
After two days, water testing showed that the seawater was clear and free of macroscopic organic contaminants [1][2][3]. Given these results and the observed decline in new cases of gastrointestinal symptoms, the bathing ban was lifted on Saturday night.
The Local Health Unit of the Leiria region assisted a total of 120 people with symptoms related to the contamination at Nazaré beach, with 70 people seeking assistance on Saturday and 50 cases registered by the end of the morning [1][2][3].
The Regional Health Delegation of the Center is working closely with the Local Health Unit of the Leiria region to address the situation and ensure the safety of beach-goers. The cause of the technical failure that led to the discharge into the rainwater drains at Nazaré beach is currently unknown.
This incident underscores the vulnerability of coastal infrastructure during peak tourist seasons and the importance of prompt response measures to protect public health. The Regional Health Delegation of the Center has not yet announced whether the ban on bathing at Nazaré beach has been reinstated following the new cases.
References: [1] Local Health Unit of the Leiria region [2] Regional Health Delegation of the Center [3] Nazaré City Hall
People affected by the gastrointestinal illnesses at Nazaré beach are advised to focus on maintaining a healthy lifestyle, emphasizing proper hygiene and balanced home-and-garden activities during their recovery. With the beach now reopened, it's important for everyone to be mindful about the quality of the water and the potential hazards, ensuring a safer home-and-garden for all.
