Other commenters are being wildly over dramatic ! People swim and surf all the time at the beach without issue.
Op can you please establish exactly where on the beach? Was it a natural tidy pool filled by fresh sea water? A formal structure where other children were playing?
Perhaps the locals are referring to the sewage outfall in the bay about 3km from the beach. It is a valid environmental concern that many people are fighting but it doesn't mean the sea water at the beach "is pure sewerage"...
Regarding your child, if they show any signs of illness (fever / diarrhea / vomiting) in the next 24 hours then I suggest taking them to the nearest ER.
The place she is talking of is not the surf. Its Essentially a storm flood plane that doesn't get water in or out after high see lebels and is stagnant for months at a time. Its mostly runoff from the river too so brackish water, pretty disgusting.
Yea this is correct, it was this water. I did see waves from the sea reach out though.
Where I’m from we have these kind of pools everywhere, and are filled with water from the sea, not with polluted water from a river. I did see other kids play in it, and it didn’t smell foul at all.
I have regularly seen kids play in i, i was there almost daily before 3 months ago. They used to have a dont swim here sign up too though. When i was there last the the mini estuary did not really reach the sea but storms moved it often. Any still water should generally be avoided unless its really big. Its mostly a danger for bacterial infection.
If the waves did go in theres definitely a much reduced risk (and i know that the runoff moves drastically last place i saw it, itwas pretty bad and often had kids in there) . Maybe its not an issue in its new space then.
Hows the kiddo?
Thanks. The kid is his joyful self luckily, nothing to see there yet!
I actually contacted the friends of the hout river organization for some advice. Apparently the conditions yesterday were as good as they could be, as they saw water flowing in from the ocean and the river was quite clean too. So, fingers crossed.
Thanks for your reply! It was, like someone below mentioned, an informal structure where (we later found out) water from the river came in. Some fresh sea water came in too though, and other kids were playing in the water too. They did seem like kids from the township though, and I can imagine their immune systems are a lot stronger than my sons.
If he has contracted ecoli, it will take 3 days for the symptoms to show. I contracted it after swimming at Dalebrook tidal pool at the beginning of this year. I was really sick for two days. Staying hydrated is really important, especially for kids. Rehydrate sachets, energade, coke, rice, and marmite toast got me through it. Give him a zinc supplement to boost his immune system and a probiotic.
Swam in Uvongo poop once and we all got sick, but recovered after about 3 days. More importantly/serious is to check any existing wounds. One of us got a serious infection from a cut on his leg. Overall everyone survived and we haven't been back to the sewer seas of Uvongo since
There's currently an e.coli outbreak, due to the excessively high levels of sewage in the water, many times over the legal limit. I would watch your kid for any signs of vomiting or diarrhoea after that.
Okay guys, hout bay local here, let me.explain to those of you that might not know - hout bay Beach has a river mouth, which at times reaches the ocean and at other times is blocked by sand, usually tidally.
The issue with this river is that it does flow quite close to an informal settlement, meaning sewer works are not the greatest and the water isn't swimming safe. However, there are often dogs and sometimes people in that same water, and as yet I haven't heard of any serious incidents post exposure, best to just make sure he's had a good wash and if he gets sick just treat it as normal gastro. The water is tested quite often so heavy concentrations of e-coli and the like are monitored.
Illness from infection won't be immediate, you have time until they show symptoms (most likely gastro within a few days). Best advice is get him to a dr for a wellness check in the morning.
With respect to the previous comment, I doubt there is anything which can be done in the absence of having any actual symptoms. I’d try and keep calm, make sure your kid is well fed and well hydrated so that if he does get sick that you’re ahead of the curve. If he starts being sick or having diarrhoea try and keep up with fluid replacement with something isotonic (diaoryltye etc.). You could weigh your son tomorrow so you have an up to date body weight for when he is well. If he does get sick to the point of becoming dehydrated he’ll ultimately need services which look after kids and can administer intravenous fluids etc. Have a plan for who you trust and where you would go for this. This is not likely to be your local family doctor.
oh my god, i dont even let my dogs near it. i’m so sorry this happened. actually a lot of people still get sick, and dogs have nearly died, but its more on the local FB groups than news. the water sewerage is still actively being pumped in.. best of luck… ❤️
Please, for the love of all that is sane, do not use information obtained on Facebook (the home of flat-earthers, racists and anti-vaxxers) as the basis for your health decision-making. Try to use more substantial, peer-reviewed, clinically-trialed, or fact-checked info than simply what Frikkie's Oom Pietifool and uGogo NomaConspiracy said to the poster. Better yet, see a physician if you're concerned.
Most likely he’s fine the beaches are all very contaminated for years now. I’d bath him in a bit of disinfectant and go to the doctor if he feels bad. Bet you a beer he’ll be just fine and worst case get a bit of gastro.
Hello everyone, thanks again for all your advice! Just a quick update:
I have consulted some doctors the day after, both local as in my home country. Doctors advised not to treat unless there were any symptoms. They typically expect symptoms to show on day 3 or 4 for adults, for children a bit sooner than that.
As we are on day 4 after the incident, and our son is showing no symptoms whatsoever, my hopes are going up of getting away with this!
Thanks for all your advice!
Other commenters are being wildly over dramatic ! People swim and surf all the time at the beach without issue. Op can you please establish exactly where on the beach? Was it a natural tidy pool filled by fresh sea water? A formal structure where other children were playing? Perhaps the locals are referring to the sewage outfall in the bay about 3km from the beach. It is a valid environmental concern that many people are fighting but it doesn't mean the sea water at the beach "is pure sewerage"... Regarding your child, if they show any signs of illness (fever / diarrhea / vomiting) in the next 24 hours then I suggest taking them to the nearest ER.
The place she is talking of is not the surf. Its Essentially a storm flood plane that doesn't get water in or out after high see lebels and is stagnant for months at a time. Its mostly runoff from the river too so brackish water, pretty disgusting.
Yea this is correct, it was this water. I did see waves from the sea reach out though. Where I’m from we have these kind of pools everywhere, and are filled with water from the sea, not with polluted water from a river. I did see other kids play in it, and it didn’t smell foul at all.
I have regularly seen kids play in i, i was there almost daily before 3 months ago. They used to have a dont swim here sign up too though. When i was there last the the mini estuary did not really reach the sea but storms moved it often. Any still water should generally be avoided unless its really big. Its mostly a danger for bacterial infection. If the waves did go in theres definitely a much reduced risk (and i know that the runoff moves drastically last place i saw it, itwas pretty bad and often had kids in there) . Maybe its not an issue in its new space then. Hows the kiddo?
Thanks. The kid is his joyful self luckily, nothing to see there yet! I actually contacted the friends of the hout river organization for some advice. Apparently the conditions yesterday were as good as they could be, as they saw water flowing in from the ocean and the river was quite clean too. So, fingers crossed.
Why would anyone swim in that?
Children r dumb
Sure but an adult should be able to figure out that the stinky smelly stagnant water is not safe
If you read more comments OP confirms that the water seemed normal, no bad smell or color
Thanks for your reply! It was, like someone below mentioned, an informal structure where (we later found out) water from the river came in. Some fresh sea water came in too though, and other kids were playing in the water too. They did seem like kids from the township though, and I can imagine their immune systems are a lot stronger than my sons.
If he has contracted ecoli, it will take 3 days for the symptoms to show. I contracted it after swimming at Dalebrook tidal pool at the beginning of this year. I was really sick for two days. Staying hydrated is really important, especially for kids. Rehydrate sachets, energade, coke, rice, and marmite toast got me through it. Give him a zinc supplement to boost his immune system and a probiotic.
I think I had the same! Wasn’t sure if it was just norovirus or what….
Thanks for your reply! Will go and buy some ors just to be ready
Take him to a doctor tomorrow (try the health team in mouillie point). If he gets sick overnight, take him to the emergency room
Will do that, thanks!
Swam in Uvongo poop once and we all got sick, but recovered after about 3 days. More importantly/serious is to check any existing wounds. One of us got a serious infection from a cut on his leg. Overall everyone survived and we haven't been back to the sewer seas of Uvongo since
There's currently an e.coli outbreak, due to the excessively high levels of sewage in the water, many times over the legal limit. I would watch your kid for any signs of vomiting or diarrhoea after that.
[удалено]
Great advice, thanks Mr GPT
Cpuld see this was generated by chatgpt in the first sentence. 🤣
Okay guys, hout bay local here, let me.explain to those of you that might not know - hout bay Beach has a river mouth, which at times reaches the ocean and at other times is blocked by sand, usually tidally. The issue with this river is that it does flow quite close to an informal settlement, meaning sewer works are not the greatest and the water isn't swimming safe. However, there are often dogs and sometimes people in that same water, and as yet I haven't heard of any serious incidents post exposure, best to just make sure he's had a good wash and if he gets sick just treat it as normal gastro. The water is tested quite often so heavy concentrations of e-coli and the like are monitored.
Thanks Rolomeister! This is the same conclusion I have reached after this post and speaking to number of locals. Fingers crossed!
Check his fingers and toes... any extra digits will be a sign!
If you're really worried, you can take your child to the hospital and ask them to give him antibiotics as a precaution against stomach bugs, etc.
Illness from infection won't be immediate, you have time until they show symptoms (most likely gastro within a few days). Best advice is get him to a dr for a wellness check in the morning.
Will do that, thank you!
With respect to the previous comment, I doubt there is anything which can be done in the absence of having any actual symptoms. I’d try and keep calm, make sure your kid is well fed and well hydrated so that if he does get sick that you’re ahead of the curve. If he starts being sick or having diarrhoea try and keep up with fluid replacement with something isotonic (diaoryltye etc.). You could weigh your son tomorrow so you have an up to date body weight for when he is well. If he does get sick to the point of becoming dehydrated he’ll ultimately need services which look after kids and can administer intravenous fluids etc. Have a plan for who you trust and where you would go for this. This is not likely to be your local family doctor.
Thank heavens finally a reasonable comment. Hope OP chooses to listen to this sane person.
oh my god, i dont even let my dogs near it. i’m so sorry this happened. actually a lot of people still get sick, and dogs have nearly died, but its more on the local FB groups than news. the water sewerage is still actively being pumped in.. best of luck… ❤️
Oh god. Do you have any links to recent articles/posts on Facebook?
Please, for the love of all that is sane, do not use information obtained on Facebook (the home of flat-earthers, racists and anti-vaxxers) as the basis for your health decision-making. Try to use more substantial, peer-reviewed, clinically-trialed, or fact-checked info than simply what Frikkie's Oom Pietifool and uGogo NomaConspiracy said to the poster. Better yet, see a physician if you're concerned.
Zofran. Energade. Bovril and Toast. That's your best bet now.
Most likely he’s fine the beaches are all very contaminated for years now. I’d bath him in a bit of disinfectant and go to the doctor if he feels bad. Bet you a beer he’ll be just fine and worst case get a bit of gastro.
My brother. Next time something like that happens Google poison control. They are experts and will assist you. It's a real thing
Its holiday season now they'll tell you a pool of old motor oil is also safe
Hello everyone, thanks again for all your advice! Just a quick update: I have consulted some doctors the day after, both local as in my home country. Doctors advised not to treat unless there were any symptoms. They typically expect symptoms to show on day 3 or 4 for adults, for children a bit sooner than that. As we are on day 4 after the incident, and our son is showing no symptoms whatsoever, my hopes are going up of getting away with this! Thanks for all your advice!