Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION

Swimmer's itch found in Manitoba lakes

GOT an itch to swim? If you take a dip in several of the province's lakes, you might end up with an itch, all right.

Several of the province's beaches have now been posted with signs saying water samples have tested positive for swimmer's itch.

The most recent sign went up Tuesday at Pioneer Bay Beach on Clearwater Lake, but other beaches posted since last week are Simonhouse Lake, Norris Lake, Pelican Lake in the RM of Strathcona, South Bay Quarry on South Indian Lake and both Falcon Lake's Lakeshore Campground Beach and main beach.

According to the province's Water Stewardship Department website, swimmer's itch is caused by a parasitic worm found in the intestines of waterfowl and aquatic mammals like muskrats.

The province advises people not to swim where swimmer's itch has been found and to immediately towel off briskly when you get out of the water and take a shower. If you do get the itch, the province advises anti-itch medications like lotions and some antihistamines will help, but a doctor can give the best treatment.

Meanwhile, the beach at Sandy Hook is the latest one to be posted with the province's warning that unsafe levels of E. coli were found during sampling by the provincial government.

The E. coli reached 351 E. coli/ml on July 26, exceeding the province's recreational water quality guideline of 200 E. coli/ml.

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition July 30, 2010 A6

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