E.coli Closes Los Pocillos Beach in Lanzarote

A section of Los Pocillos Beach in Puerto del Carmen, Lanzarote, has been closed to swimmers due to unsafe levels of E. coli bacteria detected in seawater samples. The closure, confirmed by Tias councillor Christopher Notario, affects the area behind the Los Jameos Playa Hotel complex. The Tías Town Hall issued a warning to holidaymakers, stating that swimming is prohibited as a precautionary measure until further testing yields negative results. Local authorities have placed a red flag along the affected stretch of beach to deter bathers from entering the contaminated water. The exact source of the E. coli contamination remains unidentified, raising concerns among health officials. E. coli O157, a strain of the bacteria, can lead to severe gastrointestinal issues, including stomach pain and bloody diarrhea, and can be contracted through exposure to contaminated water. This incident is not isolated, as similar E. coli concerns have been reported in the UK. In June, it was revealed that over 10% of blue-flag beaches in the UK had unsafe levels of bacteria, with eight out of 72 top beaches recording high E. coli counts in May. Notable locations affected included beaches in Sunderland, Scarborough, and Bournemouth, where some samples showed more than 1,000 colonies of E. coli. Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, emphasizing the importance of public health and safety during the busy summer travel season.