Health officials reopen Vancouver Lake

Clark County health officials reopened Vancouver Lake to swimmers Friday afternoon, just one day after closing the lake due to elevated E. coli bacteria levels.

Clark County Public Health announced the closure Thursday after learning three of the six water samples taken earlier in the week showed elevated levels of the E. coli bacteria. But by Friday afternoon, bacteria levels had dropped within “acceptable limits,” according to health officials.

“We strongly urge parents not to take diapered children or those who haven’t been potty trained into the water,” Dr. Alan Melnick, Clark County health officer/administrator, said in a news release. “We also advise people who catch fish at Vancouver Lake to always cook the fish completely, whether or not a health advisory has been issued. Any body of water can become contaminated.”

Health officials will continue to test Vancouver Lake for bacteria every two weeks throughout the summer.

To avoid catching or spreading E. coli or other illness that can spread in swimming areas, health officials offer these tips:

• Don’t swim or wade if you have diarrhea. You can spread germs in the water and make others sick.
• Don’t swallow the water and avoid getting water in your mouth.
• Practice good hygiene. Shower with soap before swimming and wash your hands after using the toilet or changing diapers.
• Take children on bathroom breaks often.
• Change diapers in a bathroom or diaper-changing area, not near the water. Keep children who aren’t potty trained out of the water.
• Wash your child thoroughly with soap and water before swimming.