Sewage-filled waters put surfers at higher risk of E. coli

♦ Surfers are three times more likely to have antibiotic-resistant E. coli in their guts than non-surfers, because they swallow more contaminated water, a study has found.

A team at the University of Exeter Medical School took swabs from almost 300 people, half of whom regularly surfed in the UK. The study, published in the journal Environment International, found that 13 out of 143 surfers (9 per cent) were colonised by the resistant bacteria, compared with four out of 130 (3 per cent) non-surfers swabbed.

It is believed surfers swallow 10 times more sewage-contaminated water than sea swimmers.

Dr Will Gaze, from the school, said he would not discourage people from sea activities, but added: “It is important that people understand the risks involved so that they can make informed decisions.” He said: “We now hope that our results will help to make evidence-based decisions to improve water quality.”