A public health warning has been issued after high levels of faecal bacteria were found in samples taken from Cass Bay.

Dr Ramon Pink Medical Officer of Health said “water quality at Cass Bay is not considered suitable for recreational uses including swimming because of the risk to human health from the bacteria and other pathogens.”

Eating shellfish from these sites should be avoided. If fish are eaten, remove the gut and liver and wash in clean water before cooking.

Water contaminated by human or animal faecal matter may contain a range of disease-causing micro-organisms such as viruses, bacteria and protozoa.

A number of other sites within Lyttelton Harbour including Corsair Bay, Rāpaki Bay, Sandy Bay, Diamond Harbour Beach, Purau Beach are permanently not suitable for swimming.

“The sites where water quality is affected are listed on Environment Canterbury and Land Air Water Aotearoa websites.

Anyone that experiences gastrointestinal illness should contact their GP in the first instance or call Healthline on 0800 611 116