It is the trendy health kick that makes a splash in the UK.
But some of the most popular wild swimming spots in the UK have seen a shocking 1000 percent rise in potentially life -threatening bacteria, with regard to data.
The Serpentine Lido in Hyde Park, London, registered an increase of 1.188 percent in the levels of the diarrhea-causing Bug E.Coli in just a year.
The pathogen, which typically also causes a fever, can be spread by contaminated water – with faeces an important source of such infection.
In the same swimming place with open water, an increase of 1,085 percent in intestinal sockets in the same year – another types of bacteria in human faeces.
Experts, who warned the pathogens, form ‘one of the greatest threats for human health’, insisted on the authorities to test more powerful on such viruses.
The Bathing Mobility Advisory Service (BMAS), which analyzed the figures from the environmental agency, said there was still a lot of work to be done to tackle pollution.
The agency tests on harmful bacteria during the official swimming season – May and September.
The Serpentine Lido in Hyde Park, London (photo) registered an increase of 1,188 percent in the levels of the Diarrhoea-causing Bug E.Coli in just a year
The pathogen, which typically also causes a fever, can be spread by contaminated water – with faeces an important source of such infection
These tests monitor sources of pollution that is known to be a risk to the health of swimmers, in particular E. coli and intestine enterococci, before each seaside resort gets a ranking of excellent, good, sufficient or bad.
According to the Bmas analysis, the Serpentine Lido – has watched sufficiently by the environmental agency – an E.coli count of 580 in 2024, on the 45 in 2023.
The Hampstead Heath -mixed pond of North Londs meanwhile registered an E.coli count of 310 in 2024, an increase of 230 percent compared to 100 in 2023.
The men’s pond followed with an increase of 24.65 percent in the same period.
The women’s pond, on the other hand, saw a decrease of 34 percent, from 350 to 230.
In most E.coli cases, symptoms fade naturally within a few days.
For vulnerable populations, however, the infection can get into the blood and travel to the organs, which causes catastrophic damage.
A handful of British die every year of complications of an E.coli infection.
Large amounts of rainwater can cause an increase in the presence of bacteria such as E. coli because of the Water Laws of the UK.
But it can be spread by touching infected animals or their faeces directly, as well as in direct contact with the waste of infected people.
BMAS analysis also found the intestinal sockets on the Serpentine Lido rose 1,085 percent between 2023 and 2024, an increase of 27 to 320.
Hampstead Heath Ladies Pond meanwhile registered an increase of 25 percent in the same period from 8 to 230.
The men’s and mixed ponds, however, registered drops of 33 and 75 percent respectively.
Professor Davey Jones, a soil and environmental scientist at Bangor University, insisted on the health authorities to implement rigorous monitoring of pathogens in water including viruses, for which currently not routinely tested.
“They are one of the biggest threats to human health,” he said.
‘Some pathogens, such as E.Coli 0157, can enter groundwater through the drainage of agriculture and form serious health risks, even in small quantities.
Hampstead Heath Mixed Pound in North Londs meanwhile registered an E.coli count of 310 in 2024, an increase of 230 percent in 100 in 2023
Large quantities of rainwater can cause an increase in the presence of bacteria such as E. coli because of the Water Laws of the UK
“As recreational water use increases, especially in urban environments such as London, it is vital that we broaden our test frameworks with viral contaminants.”
Amelia Hornsby of the BMAs added: ‘Water quality is an important indicator of environmental health and public safety.
“Consistently high standards are not only essential for protecting ecosystems, but also for guaranteeing safe and pleasant access to our natural waters for both local communities and visitors.”
It comes as new figures that were released last November, found dozens of locations along coasts, lakes and rivers in England, did not meet the minimum standard of water quality for 2024, which means that they contain disturbingly high levels of fecal matter.
It marked a dual increase in relation to the number of ‘poor’ rated in just one year and is the highest figure that has been registered since the current assessment system was introduced in 2015.
Swimming of open water has risen in popularity in recent years.
Proponents of the sport claim that it helps to stimulate the immune system, speed up weight loss, improve your mental health and even increase your sexual drive.
Research has suggested that the exposure to cold water management can be caused the release of fat -foul hormones, which can help to protect against obesity and heart conditions.
In 2022, an overview of 104 studies looked into the effects of blood circulation of cold water, the immune system, inflammation and oxidative stress.
Taking a dip in water with temperatures under 20 ° C (68F) was found to activate brown fatty tissue, a kind of body fat that burns calories to maintain body temperature.
It also increased the production of adiponectin, a protein that plays a key role in protecting against insulin resistance, diabetes and other diseases.
In addition, some experts have also said that the shock of cold that comes from outdoor swimming, levels of dopamine and the release of endorphines-feel-good-good-good-in-hormones-in the brain can stimulate.
Some GPs in England actively prescribe cold water on this basis.
But no studies have shown that only cold water immerses mental health.
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