Stay out of the water at MacLean Park.
That’s the message that the City of Pitt Meadows wants to convey to everyone as it recently announced that Giardia was “suspected” to be in the park’s pond.
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This waterborne parasite, which is the most common intestinal parasite in Canada, can lead to some pretty nasty symptoms, including gas, diarrhea, dehydration, abdominal cramps, and nausea or vomiting.
In light of this discovery, the City of Pitt Meadows is telling people to avoid touching or ingesting the pond water, and to keep children and pets away from the water.
It is especially important to keep children away from the pond or to thoroughly wash their hands if they do come in contact with the water since children up to nine years old are most at risk of developing giardia symptoms, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada.
The rest of the MacLean Park amenities remain safe to use, however, residents are asked to avoid the pond until further notice.
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