Bermuda beach photo by Brian Major

The U.S. Consulate General in Hamilton, Bermuda, informed sent a notice Monday informing U.S. citizens of a public concern regarding the contamination of beaches.

A scientific study conducted in 2013 by the University of Laval, the Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences, the Bermuda Departments of Conservation, Health, and Environment, and the Bermuda Central Government Laboratory reports that ongoing dumping of raw sewage off Bermuda’s south coast causes intermittent contamination of the waters along the island’s south shore beaches, creating a public health hazard. 

Changing weather conditions – wind, swells, tides, and rain – can bring rapid degradation of water quality along the beaches, resulting in human bacteria levels from fecal contamination up to four times the acceptable U.S. standard.  In 2013, as many as five of the beaches were described as “unfit for recreational use” on different occasions based on water samples.

According to the study, possible negative health effects for swimmers include  gastroenteritis, ear infections, respiratory illnesses, and staph infections.  In addition, as a general medical matter, persons exposed to sewage-contaminated water face increased risk of Hepatitis A, eye infections, and typhoid. 

Those who intend to enter the waters along the south shore may wish to consider Hepatitis A and typhoid immunizations prior to doing so. The Government of Bermuda has announced that it plans to take measures to reduce or treat the outfall, but as of March 2014, the dumping continues unabated.  

To obtain Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) travel notices, call the CDC at 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636) from within the United States, or 1-404-639-3534 from overseas, or visit the CDC website at http://www.cdc.gov/travel.

The consolutate strongly recommends that U.S. citizens traveling to or residing in Bermuda enroll in the Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP).  

STEP enrollment gives you the latest security updates, and makes it easier for the U.S. embassy or nearest U.S. consulate to contact you in an emergency.  If you don’t have Internet access, enroll directly with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.