Health warning issued to boat race crews over levels of E.coli in Thames

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Jumping into London’s River Thames has been the customary celebration for members of the winning crew in the Boat Race, the nearly 200-year-old rowing contest between storied English universities Oxford and Cambridge.

Now it comes with a health warning.

Testing by the River Action campaign group found high levels of E.coli along a stretch of the Thames in southwest London that will be used for the historic race taking place on Saturday.

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E.coli bacteria normally live in the intestines of healthy people and animals. Most strains are harmless, cause relatively brief diarrhea and most people recover without much incident, according to the Mayo clinic. But small doses of some strains — including just a mouthful of contaminated water — can cause a range of conditions, including urinary tract infection, cystitis, intestinal infection and vomiting, with the worst cases leading to life-threatening blood poisoning.

The teams from both competing universities have been given a briefing pack with guidance, issued by River Action among others, on the importance of covering cuts, grazes and blisters with waterproof dressings, taking care not to swallow river water that splashes close to the mouth, wearing suitable footwear when launching or recovering a boat, and cleaning all equipment thoroughly.

In a statement to the Guardian newspaper, organizers have said they support the research carried out by River Action and added that precautionary measures for this year’s race include "highlighting the risks of entering the water" and the use of a "cleansing station at the finish