Moore River closed after spike in illnesses following Australia Day long weekend

Swimmers have been warned to avoid taking a dip in the Moore River after a spike in reports of illness following the Australia Day long weekend.

The Shire of Gingin and Department of Health issued the warning on Friday after elevated levels of bacteria were detected in the water.

Warning signs have been erected around the Moore River Caravan Park, the river mouth and the Caraban rope swing area while water testing is ongoing.

“Current water exposure may increase the risk of gastrointestinal illness, including vomiting, diarrhoea, or other illness or infection if people choose to swim or accidentally ingest the water,” shire chief executive Scott Wildgoose said.

“Anyone who has entered these waters and experiences symptoms including nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal, chest pain etc., should seek medical attention and request testing through their GP.”

They are also encouraged to notify the Department of Health’s environmental health directorate.

The river closure comes as WA is in the grips of a major outbreak of cryptosporidiosis, a highly infectious gastro bug caused by the water-borne parasite cryptosporidium.

It causes a severe form of gastroenteritis, and cases of the reportable illness have skyrocketed almost 300 per cent in the past 12 months. So far this year, WA has reported 82 cases.

WA Health says the parasite is found in faeces, and infection most often occurs by swallowing polluted water from rivers, streams, lakes, swimming pools, spas or the ocean.

The spike in cases has been linked to overseas travel, with the majority of infected travellers returning to WA from Indonesia.

The Shire of Gingin is yet to confirm whether any cases of illness related to Moore River swimming have been crypto.

Moore River is part of a broader agricultural catchment area, meaning its downstream river flow can bring nutrients, organic matter, sediments, and animal faeces and waste.

The shire is continuing to monitor microbial water quality in liaison with WA Health.