After the triathlon race in May, three participants suffered from leptospirosis. One of them is still in the hospital. As a result, today the City Council announced in a statement that the weekend swimming crossing will be cancelled.

In his appearance this morning, the councilor of the Department of Health and Consumption, Yolanda Diez, clarified that the estuary is not a space for bathing, but a space for recreation and sports. Therefore, he says that only the margins of the estuary are the competence of the city council and “not the water”. Diez explains that his department does not have the competence to carry out the analysis of the water in the estuary, but of the sources of water consumption and the cooling system. He also points out that the organizers of the race are responsible for carrying out a water analysis through private laboratories to determine if the water is adequate or not.Along with this, Diez expresses his desire for the prompt recovery of the injured person who remains in the hospital.

The Bilbao Sports Club, which organizes the initiative, has not been able to guarantee the absence of another infection due to the short time remaining. He finally decided to cancel the trip.

Osakidetza has made some recommendations. He informs that the immersion in the estuary should not exceed two hours and after that, it is necessary to take a shower immediately.

Statements by the Mayor

In an interview with the mayor, Juan Mari Aburto, on Radio Bilbao this morning before the measures were known, he stated that “I would bathe in the estuary”. Shortly after the declaration, the crossing has been cancelled due to the risk of infection.

This news has been published by Uriola de Bilbao and brought to LUZ thanks to the CC-by-sa license