A Scottish woman was hospitalised for five days with severe gastroenteritis after swimming in the sea, amid a sharp rise in waterborne illnesses across the UK. Shelley Sim, a carer from East Lothian, became unwell following a swim near her home to celebrate a friend’s birthday. She later received a diagnosis of cryptosporidium, a parasitic disease linked to polluted water, after undergoing several weeks of medical tests.
++ The real reason snakes slough their skin
Cases of water-related illnesses have surged dramatically, with hospitalisations from infections like dysentery and Weil’s disease rising from 2,085 in 2010–11 to 3,286 in 2022–23. Ms Sim described how the experience affected her mental health and made her more cautious about entering the water. She now checks for sewage discharges before swimming, especially after heavy rainfall. “The sea is where I go to relieve stress from my caring responsibilities,” she explained. “But now I have to think twice.”
Other swimmers across the UK have reported similar experiences. Miriam, a surfer from Cornwall, suffered two bouts of illness in 2024 linked to contaminated seawater. She expressed frustration at how a pastime meant to bring calm had instead caused anxiety, weight loss, and time off work. “It just made me angry,” she said. “Surfing is supposed to be a joy, not a risk to your health.”
++ Scientists baffled by black hole wandering through space alone
Campaign group Surfers Against Sewage, alongside 38 Degrees, surveyed over 28,000 people, with 78 per cent expressing anger over the state of the country’s waterways. A second survey found that more than a quarter of respondents had fallen ill after entering open water in the past two years. The findings have been submitted to the Independent Water Commission, chaired by Sir Jon Cunliffe, ahead of its May report. A national Paddle Out protest is also planned for 17 May to demand action on water pollution.
