Sunset Beach closed to swimming due to high E. coli levels

The summer season of health concerns with regard to Vancouver beaches has officially begun — just ahead of Canada Day.

Vancouver Coastal Health has tested high E. coli levels in the water at Sunset Beach.

Exposure to contaminated water can lead to gastrointestinal illness, with symptoms like cramping, vomiting and diarrhea.

E. coli is the same bacteria that can be found on vegetables or in beef. It is of particular concern for vulnerable populations such as kids and seniors.

The Vancouver Park Board tweeted Saturday afternoon that Sunset Beach had been closed, saying it will be placing signage at the beach advising swimmers to stay away.

Vancouver Coastal Health’s safety guideline that determines when a beach is closed is 200 E. coli per 100 millilitre.

The health authority recorded levels of 798 per 100 millilitre at Sunset Beach.

Exposure to contaminated water can lead to gastrointestinal illness, with symptoms like cramping, vomiting and diarrhea.

WATCH: (Aired Aug. 12, 2018) Three Vancouver beaches closed to swimming due to E.coli

1:49 Three Vancouver beaches closed to swimming due to E.coli

This warning comes more than two weeks earlier than last year’s closures over E. coli concerns, which eventually barred swimmers from six beaches in Metro Vancouver including Sunset.

Those beaches were closed for two weeks before reopening at the beginning of August, only for three of them to shut down again due to a bacterial bloom.

Vancouver Coastal Health advises anyone who comes into contact with water tainted with E. coli to take a shower and wash swimsuits immediately.

Those who think they may be sick are advised to seek medical attention.