1610 days ago

Woman's 'nasty' skin infection likely caused by swimming at contaminated beach

Caroline Williams Reporter from North Shore Times

Kia ora neighbours.
A woman who likely got a “nasty” skin infection during a swim at Narrowneck Beach believes it is “unacceptable” that people cannot go swimming without fear of getting sick.

Devonport resident Vanessa Ingraham developed a staph and e coli infection on her legs about four weeks ago. Her doctor believes she caught it from swimming not long after shaving her legs.

Ingraham, who moved to New Zealand from the Bahamas seven years ago, said she didn’t know about Auckland’s storm water issues until she got her infection.

During heavy rain, water contaminated with animal faeces, oil, rubbish, metals and rubber from tyres is often flushed through the storm water network and onto beaches, a Watercare spokeswoman said.

Auckland’s wastewater network is also known to overflow during heavy rain, which causes sewage to spill out from manholes, gully traps, pump stations and engineered overflow points into properties, waterways and the sea.

Auckland Council’s Swimsafe website, which provides real-time forecasts of beach water quality, recommends people avoid swimming for 48 hours following heavy rainfall.

“You have to check to see if it’s safe to swim? This is a foreign concept,” Ingraham said.

Click 'read more' for the full story, including info from the Auckland Regional Public Health Service.

More messages from your neighbours
9 days ago

Scam Alert: Fake information regarding December Bonuses from MSD

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

The Ministry of Social Development is reporting that fake information is circulating about new ‘December bonuses’ or ‘benefit increases’

If you get suspicious communication, please contact Netsafe.

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3 days ago

Poll: Is it ok to regift something that you have been given?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

🎁 Holiday Gift Chat!

Do you ever regift?
What’s your take on asking for a receipt if a gift doesn’t fit?

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Is it ok to regift something that you have been given?
  • 79.9% Yes! It's better to regift what I don't need
    79.9% Complete
  • 20.1% No. It's the thought and effort that matters
    20.1% Complete
721 votes
1 day ago

Today’s Mind-Bender is the Last of the Year! Can You Guess It Before Everyone Else? 🌟🎁🌲

The Riddler from The Neighbourly Riddler

I dance in the sky with green and gold, a spectacle few are lucky to behold; I’m best seen in the south, a celestial sight—what am I, lighting up the New Zealand night?

Do you think you know the answer? Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm on the day!

Want to stop seeing these in your newsfeed? No worries! Simply head here and click once on the Following button.

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