Swimmers, rowers told to stay away

Swimmers and rowers were today warned to stay away from the Thames because of the high risk of contracting a potentially fatal disease.

Experts say the 600,000 tonnes of raw sewage pumped into the river on Tuesday is a massive health risk as bacteria, parasites and viruses all flourish in it. The hot weather also means such organisms will breed incredibly quickly.

Diseases that can be contracted from coming into contact with sewage include gastro-enteritis, hepatitis and skin and eye infections. There is also a risk of contracting the potentially-fatal Weil's disease, which has flu-like symptoms and attacks the liver. Disease can be passed on through direct contact with infected water, but it is also dangerous to breathe in fumes from raw sewage.

John Goddard, technical manager of the Environment Agency, said today: "There is a health risk to swimmers, rowers and anyone who comes into contact with the water. That risk stays for at least two days after the sewage is pumped in."