Cases of a waterborne bug which causes diarrhoea and nausea are rising across Auckland.
The rise in illness comes amid growing concerns around the water quality of Auckland beaches and rivers.
* West Auckland beaches top blacklist list of filthy swimming spots * Don’t go near the water: health warnings at more than 30 Auckland beaches after heavy rain * Auckland beach residents complain of foul smell after summer storm During periods of heavy rainfall, an often pungent mixture of sewage and stormwater is pumped out onto the city’s beaches as an emergency measure to prevent it overflowing onto private property.
In November, eight west Auckland beaches were blacklisted by Auckland Council’s water quality monitoring system Safeswim.
ARPHS medical officer of health David Sinclair said over the last couple of years cases of gastroenteritis had moderately increased across the region in the week following heavy rain.
Scientists from ARPHS, Watercare, National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research, Auckland Council and the University of Auckland are looking at research and ways of analysing infection rates to identify possible causes, he said.
The investigation look at water contamination in streams, low-lying and coastal areas from run-off and whether there is sewage contamination of stormwater, he said.
An Auckland Council spokesman said it had always discouraged swimming 48 hours after any major storm.
The council has committed $6 billion towards water infrastructure over the next 20 years.
– Stuff