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Children Sick After Harbour Swimming
3 Sep
Summary
- Two children hospitalized with severe bacterial infections.
- Harbour water quality questioned after E.coli outbreaks.
- Parents highlight pollution concerns with public photos.
Two children have become critically ill in hospital due to bacterial infections contracted after swimming in Christchurch Harbour. Three-year-old Ivy Foster suffered E.coli poisoning, requiring multiple hospital stays and antibiotics resistant to her infection. Eight-year-old Keeva Hollow was hospitalized with campylobacteriosis after swallowing harbor water, experiencing severe symptoms and dehydration.
Parents have released distressing photos of the children to draw attention to pollution concerns in the harbor, which receives drainage from rivers passing through agricultural and urban areas. Volunteers recently detected significant E.coli levels. While one child has been discharged, the other is still recovering.
Authorities like the Environment Agency and Wessex Water state their sampling shows E.coli within expected ranges and have not identified a definitive source. They note natural variations in bacterial levels and multiple potential pollution sources. However, parents are demanding more rigorous testing and accountability, particularly regarding claims of excellent water quality.
