Despite continued concerns about pollution and sewage flowing across the U.S.-Mexico border, the South Bay region has not seen significant increases in reported gastrointestinal illnesses or related emergency room visits, according to the most recent data, San Diego County Public Health Services announced this week.
County health officials are also in the process of reviewing data collected by medical professionals who spent nearly two weeks with a South Bay clinic, with those results expected in the next 30 days.
The county noted Wednesday that it has regularly updated its webpage focused “on the ongoing surveillance and investigation of gastrointestinal illness based on concerns from the South Bay community.” The website also provides an explanation of illnesses, surveillance data and resources.
Gastrointestinal illnesses affect the stomach and intestine. County medical staff in August started monitoring illness reports and posts updates every Thursdays. Public Health Services officials have also updated Imperial Beach officials, the California Coastal Commission, the county Air Pollution Control District, California Department of Public Health and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency about ongoing surveillance work.
Over the past year, elected leaders and activists have expressed increasing concern about pollution and sewage flowing across the border.
Based on guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “when people come into direct contact with sewage contaminated water, it can lead to a number of illnesses, including those that result in emergency room visits and at times hospitalizations,” Dr. Ankita Kadakia, county deputy public health officer, said in a statement.
“South County residents deserve access to clean beaches and waterways,” Kadakia said. “While we continue to closely monitor reports of illnesses and await steps to lessen and clean sewage flows, it remains very important for people to avoid going into water that is contaminated.”
County leaders have advocated for more federal government funding and a binational solution in connection with untreated sewage that flows across the U.S.-Mexico border, and into the Tijuana River Valley and waters off South County beaches.
