While Olympic authorities continue to downplay worries over Rio’s water quality three days ahead of the opening ceremonies, health experts are warning athletes and tourists not to ingest the water.
The most recent tests in a 16-month study commissioned by The Associated Press show the water off Rio’s beaches is teeming with viruses and bacteria found in raw sewage. Samples have included drug-resistant super bacteria linked to the dumping of hospital waste.
Thomas Bach, president of the International Olympic Committee said Monday that four tests a day are showing that the water in areas where events will be held is up to World Health Organization standards.
But Kristina Mena, a waterborne virus expert at the University of Texas, says there are “extremely high levels of pollution” in the water that will lead to high infection rates and illnesses such as diarrhea, respiratory infections, skin problems and eye and ear infections.
She said athletes must work with medical teams to minimize exposure as much as possible by showering immediately after leaving the water, covering any cuts and abrasions and preventing any ingestion or inhalation of water.
“These organisms found in sewage can infect different parts of the body through different exposure routes,” Mena told CTV News Channel Tuesday.
Some athletes have been taking antibiotics, bleaching their oars and training in plastic suits.
As rowers, sailors, and open-water swimmers are undergoing training runs in water where floating debris is visible, studies for The Associated Press have found levels of bacteria and viruses so high that ingestion of just three teaspoons could lead to severe stomach and respiratory illnesses.
The first results of the study published over a year ago showed viral levels at up to 1.7 million times what would be considered problematic in North America or Europe.
Dr. Valerie Harwood, a water quality expert at the University of South Florida, says the 300,000 to 500,000 tourists expected to descend on Rio for the Games should be very careful.
“I would say go walk on the beaches and have a nice time. I would also say don’t let your kids eat the sand and don’t put your head under water.”
Dr. Fernando Spilki, a respected Brazilian virologist commissioned by the AP to conduct the water tests, says almost 100 per cent of those who come in contact with the water will be infected. Whether those infected will get sick will depend on their immune systems and the extent of their ingestion of the water.
Locals say there is improvement in the water. Rio promised to spend $1 billion to clean up the water beyond its postcard beaches and built several treatment plants and set up barriers to keep out sludge and debris. The fridges, TVs and computers once seen floating in the water are gone.
“The water is much better. We see boats picking up debris here,” a local fisherman told CTV News reporter Genevieve Beauchemin. “And frankly, if it was that bad, my family would be dead. We eat this fish every day.”
