Investigation after 57 world triathlon championship swimmers fall sick and get diarrhoea in Sunderland race

Athletes competing on stretch of UK coastline where reduced water quality at centre of dispute over sewage discharges

At least 57 people fell ill with sickness and diarrhoea after competing in sea swimming events at the World Triathlon Championship Series in Sunderland, health officials confirmed this weekend.

About 2,000 people participated in the events last weekend, which included a swim off Sunderland’s blue flag Roker beach. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said it would be testing samples from those who were ill to establish the cause of the illness and any common pathogens.

Continue reading…