Jumping into London’s River Thames is a traditional celebration for crew members who win the Boat Race, an almost 200-year-old race between Britain’s prestigious universities Oxford and Cambridge. .
Now it also comes with a health warning.
Tests by the River Action campaign group have found high levels of E. coli along the Thames in south-west London, which is used for Saturday’s historic race.
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E. coli normally lives in the intestines of healthy people and animals. According to the Mayo Clinic, most strains are harmless, cause relatively short-term diarrhea, and most people recover without major problems. However, ingesting small amounts of some strains (such as from just a sip of contaminated water) can cause a variety of symptoms, including urinary tract infections, cystitis, intestinal infections, and vomiting, which can be life-threatening. This can lead to threatening sepsis.
Teams from both competing universities will receive, among other things, a letter published by River Action on the importance of covering cuts, scrapes and blisters with waterproof bandages, and of being careful not to swallow river water that splashes near your mouth. We were given an explanation pack with guidance. Wear appropriate footwear and thoroughly clean all equipment when launching or recovering your boat.
In a statement to the Guardian, organizers said they supported the research carried out by River Action and said precautions for this year’s race included “highlighting the risk of water entry” and “installing cleaning stations at the finish line”. It added that it includes “use”. area. “
The Cambridge men’s team passes under Hammersmith Bridge during a training session on the River Thames in London. Testing by the River Action Campaign Group found high levels of E. coli along the Thames, which is used for the race. (John Walton/Pennsylvania via AP)
The intercollegiate race was first held in 1829 and is one of the oldest sporting events in the world, typically drawing 270,000 spectators along the 4.2-mile Thames River.
River Action announced that it carried out 16 tests on the River Thames around Hammersmith Bridge between February 28 and March 26 using a World Health Organization-validated Escherichia coli analyzer.
The group said test results showed an average of 2,863 E. coli colony forming units (CFU) per 100ml of water. It added that the highest spike recorded reached 9,801 CFU.
River Action said it was dangerous to swim in inland waters that recorded more than 1,000 CFU, according to the Environment Agency.
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The research group did not reveal which of the many strains of E. coli they discovered.
“As a rower, the water I row in is my arena of activity, and these E. coli test results show that rowers are putting their health at risk to play the sport they love.” said Imogen Grant, world hand champion. He won the boat race three times at Cambridge University. “More needs to be done to improve water quality across the country, and tests like this show us how far we have to go.”
River Action said the testing sites suggested the source of the pollution was from utility company Thames Water, which discharges sewage directly into the river and its tributaries. Thames Water said improving the health of its rivers was one of its key focuses and was working hard to reduce unnecessary releases.
