DESPITE the improved water quality of the Manila Bay, the Department of Health (DOH) yesterday warned swimming in the world-famous natural harbor continues to pose a health risk.
Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said a long list of illnesses threaten those who will opt to swim in the Manila Bay amid the summer season.
“When we swim in dirty water bodies, where we don’t know the water source, we can get different diseases,” said Vergeire.
“We can get sick, especially the children, with different illnesses when we swim (at the Manila Bay),” she added.
Vergeire said among the illnesses include skin diseases, ear infection, and sore eyes, which can be acquired through contaminated water.
She said individuals may also get sick with amoebiasis or typhoid fever when they swallow dirty water.
Likewise, the health official said those with open wounds may be infected with leptospirosis when they swim.
Because of this, Vergeire called on parents, grandparents, and guardians to prevent their children from swimming in dirty water bodies, especially at the Manila Bay.
“Let us stop them from swimming in dirty water. Swim only in clean water sources,” said Vergeire.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) earlier this year said their rehabilitation efforts has resulted to the improvement of water quality at the Manila Bay.
It cited reports that fecal coliform levels between 2019 and 2022 in the waters have been gradually decreasing.
With the summer season now looming, both adults and children living near the Manila Bay are again expected to troop there.
