Seven Baltic Beaches Closed Due to Dangerous Bacteria and Cyanobacteria

Vacationers heading to the Polish coast face swimming bans at seven Baltic beaches across West Pomerania and Pomerania due to dangerous bacteria and cyanobacterial blooms.

Swimming Bans Imposed at Seven Coastal Beaches

Those vacationing on the Polish coast will face disappointment as swimming bans are in effect at seven seaside beaches. Five of these are located in Darłowo in the West Pomeranian Voivodeship, and two in Gdańsk in the Pomeranian Voivodeship. The bans were introduced due to reasons including the presence of Escherichia coli bacteria.

Data from the Chief Sanitary Inspectorate’s Bathing Water Service show that water in five Darłowo bathing areas within the West Pomeranian Voivodeship is unfit for swimming due to Escherichia coli. These include beaches No. 1, 2, 4, and 5 in Darłówko Zachodnie.

Water Quality Issues and Health Risks

The same water quality problems occur at bathing area No. 2 in Darłówko Wschodnie, where water tests additionally revealed the presence of enterococci.

In the Pomeranian Voivodeship, Escherichia coli and enterococci were detected at two bathing areas in Gdańsk Brzeźno. Bathing in or swallowing contaminated water can cause food poisoning and lead to urinary tract infections.

Cyanobacteria Blooms Close Inland Waters

Closed beaches along the Baltic Sea face yet another issue with cyanobacteria. At inland bathing sites, swimming bans due to cyanobacterial blooms are in effect in Stepnica on the Szczecin Lagoon in Goleniów County and at Lake Ostrzyckie in Kartuzy County. The water was deemed unsuitable for swimming due to cyanobacterial blooms, contact with which can cause skin and eye irritation, as well as gastrointestinal issues including abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Swimming should also be avoided in Lake Junno in Kartuzy County, where water tests confirmed the presence of enterococci. Current information regarding the status of bathing areas is published by the Chief Sanitary Inspectorate’s Bathing Water Service.