These are the beaches in Puerto Escondido where the most feces have been found

Puerto Escondido, located on the Pacific coast in Oaxaca, is one of the most important tourist destinations in Mexico. Known for its beaches with crystal-clear waters and strong waves, it is a favorite place for both national and international tourists, especially surfers.

In addition to surfing, other popular activities in the coastal city are excursions to watch dolphins, whales and turtles, as well as tours to the Manialtepec lagoon, famous for its bioluminescence and presence of exotic birds.

In that sense, it is not surprising that it is one of the favorite places to enjoy summer vacations. The truth is that, despite its undeniable appeal, not all of its beaches are suitable for recreational use.

Puerto Escondido was one of the destinations where the Federal Commission for Protection Against Sanitary Risks (Cofepris) identified beaches in which the water has levels of enterococci higher than those considered safe.

Enterococci are commonly found in feces and are often used as indicators of fecal contamination in water quality analysis.

The beaches in Puerto Escondido where Cofepris identified high levels of enterococci are Puerto Angelito and Playa Principal.

Samples were taken at both points on June 24 and July 2. The results revealed that in Puerto Angelito there were 539 MPN enterococci per 100 milliliters of water, while in Playa Principal the ratio is 539 MPN/100 ml.

According to Cofepris, among the factors that negatively affect water quality are the presence of storm drains, discharges of treated wastewater, irregular settlements and informal trade activities. In addition, the lack of adequate sanitation and sewage infrastructure aggravates the situation.

In Puerto Angelito and Playa Principal, water contaminated with enterococci was found

In order to prevent the population from coming into contact with water contaminated by enterococci, the department carries out a quality study prior to the holiday periods.

For the 2024 summer season, the analysis consisted of 2,315 samples obtained at 393 points distributed along the Mexican coasts.

In total, the water quality was analyzed in the 289 beaches with the highest public affluence in the main tourist destinations in the country, of which 271 were declared suitable for recreational use.

These are the health risks associated with enterococci

Contact with water highly contaminated by streptococci can lead to several health risks. Among the most common are skin infections, such as dermatitis, which can manifest as redness, swelling, pain and, in severe cases, the formation of abscesses.

It is also possible to develop respiratory infections if contaminated water is inhaled, which can cause strep throat, characterized by sore throat, fever, and swollen lymph nodes.

In addition, accidental consumption of this water can lead to gastrointestinal infections, presenting symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, and vomiting.

In people with compromised immune systems, the risks of serious complications increase significantly.

Given the risks, Cofepris recommends avoiding vacationing on beaches designated as unsuitable for recreational use.

Any anomaly related to water quality can be reported directly to the Beach Committees established in the different tourist destinations in the country, as well as on the websites of Cofepris and the Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources (Semarnat).

Source: infobae