Cofepris to determine the suitability of Vallarta’s beaches this summer

Dr. Jaime Alvarez Zayas, Director of the Eighth Sanitary Region, announced that the sampling and monitoring of Puerto Vallarta’s beaches has been completed and that this week the Federal Commission for the Protection against Health Risks (Cofepris) and the Jalisco State Commission for the Protection against Health Risks (Coprisjal) will announce the results as to whether or not they are suitable for recreational use during this summer vacation.

Holidays have already begun and the main tourist attraction for tourists visiting Puerto Vallarta are the beaches, but these must meet certain guidelines to guarantee that they are suitable for recreational use.

Dr. Alvarez Zayas explained that weeks before a vacation period, which in this case is summer, the beaches are sampled and all of them are sent to the State Public Health Laboratory for results.

So far we have no problems in the beaches and we are sure that all the beaches will have favorable results, although we must wait for the results after sending all the tests and be completely sure through the scientific method that they are appropriate.

The doctor explained that a sample must be taken from the beach and for it to be suitable it must have 200 or less enterococci per 100 milliliters of water.

Enterococci, he said, are bacteria that are present in the water, and exceeding the permitted number could cause health damage, such as gastrointestinal infections or damage to the eyes and skin. And if the result is not favorable, he indicated the following: “The competent authorities will be informed so that they do not allow the recreational use of that beach”.

The beaches monitored in Puerto Vallarta are

– Mismaloya

– Gemelas

– Los Muertos

– Cuale

–  Oasis

– Las Palmas

– Camarones

In Cabo Corrientes:

– Yelapa

– Quimixto

– Las Ánimas

With reporting by Brenda Beltrán for Tribuna de la Bahía.