10 family members get swimmer's itch at Winnipeg Beach

Swimmer's itch has been confirmed at Winnipeg Beach, after 10 people from a Manitoba family started getting itchy skin following a weekend trip there.

It's the first time the parasite that causes swimmer's itch has been found at Winnipeg Beach, given Lake Winnipeg is such a large body of water, said Nicole Armstrong, director of the water science and management branch with Manitoba Conservation and Water Stewardship.

"It is unusual at Winnipeg Beach, but there are some weedy and aquatic areas near the beach, so it could have been contributed from those areas," she told CBC News on Tuesday.

"It's likely that just the right combination of the winds blowing in the right direction and a particularly weedy area may have contributed in this case."

'Felt like things were crawling on it'

Martin Simmons and nine of his family members got swimmer's itch over the weekend. He confirmed the itch through his dermatologist.

"My skin, it felt like things were crawling on it. So I looked and didn't see anything crawling on it but, like, I noticed a bump," Simmons said.

"Then when I got home I noticed a lot more and they were, like, itchy."

Simmons said he has been swimming at the beach for 55 years but this was the first time he experienced swimmer's itch there.

"Got no hesitation going back to the beach. I just won't go in the water this year," he said.

Armstrong said the parasite that causes swimmer's itch is usually found in areas where there is more vegetation in the water.

Eggs laid in bird bellies

The parasite lays its eggs in the guts of birds and water mammals such as beavers, and then it's released through the animals' feces and subsequently gets picked up by snails, Armstrong added.

The snails then release the parasite into the water and from there it can end up on human skin, causing red spots and an itchy rash.

Armstrong said toweling off vigorously or showering can reduce the risk of swimmer's itch, and sunblock can sometimes keep it away as well.

Warnings were put on the province's website Monday and signs were expected to be posted on the beach Tuesday.

Parasite could hurt resort town

Winnipeg Beach Mayor Tony Pimentel is worried about the impact the news could have on the community.

"Our community, we're a summer resort — we have approximately 12 weeks out of the year that is our busy season. With something like this, you know, it's going to discourage people from coming out," he said.

There are showers on the beach for people to rinse off after being in the water, he added.

Armstrong said the confirmed case does not mean swimmer's itch will be a permanent problem at Winnipeg Beach. With the right conditions, the parasite could leave the beach, she said.

It's difficult to say how long the parasite will be in the water, as a strong wind can get rid of it.

The signs will stay up on the beach all summer, Armstrong said.

There is one other case of swimmer's itch in the province, at Moose Lake.

There are usually two to 10 beaches per year in Manitoba with swimmer's itch.

In the past, swimmer's itch has been found at Beaconia Beach and Patricia Beach, both of which are also on Lake Winnipeg.