Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco — The Federal Commission for the Protection against Sanitary Risk (Cofepris) has revealed that Oasis Beach, commonly referred to as Holi Beach, in Puerto Vallarta has exceeded the maximum allowed amount of fecal contamination by nearly tenfold. This alarming news has prompted the director of the Eighth Health Region of the Jalisco Ministry of Health, Jaime Álvarez Zayas, to issue a stern warning against entering the waters.
“With this quantity of enterococci, there is a significant risk that people will get sick if they ingest the water or have skin or eye contact with it,” said Álvarez Zayas. “Municipal authorities should take immediate precautions and prevent entry to the beach to ensure that people do not come into contact with this contaminated water and avoid the risk of illness.”
The potential health risks associated with exposure to the contaminated waters at Oasis Beach are substantial. Álvarez Zayas detailed that visitors could face several illnesses, primarily intestinal diseases such as diarrhea from ingesting enterococci, as well as conjunctivitis and dermatitis from skin or eye contact with the water.
The contamination issue at Oasis Beach is not new. This marks the second consecutive year that the beach has shown dangerously high levels of pollution. In light of this persistent problem, Álvarez Zayas emphasized the need for a thorough investigation to determine the source of the contamination, particularly the possibility of sewage discharge upstream.
“Since last year, this beach has shown high contamination levels, especially during the rainy season when runoff carries various particles, including enterococci, along the course of the Pitillal River,” Álvarez Zayas explained. “It is crucial to inspect the entire river course to identify any direct discharge of sewage that might be contributing to this issue.”
The local health authorities are now calling on the municipal government to act swiftly to protect public health. Measures are expected to be implemented to monitor and control access to the beach, and there is an urgent need for an environmental assessment to identify and mitigate the sources of pollution.
Residents and tourists are advised to avoid swimming or engaging in any activities that involve direct contact with the water at Oasis Beach until further notice. The Jalisco Ministry of Health is coordinating with local environmental agencies to address the contamination and ensure that the beach can be safely enjoyed by the public once again.
Oasis—Holi (Holly) Beach is located behind La Isla Shopping Center in Puerto Vallarta’s hotel zone.
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