Canoeists and waterborne diseases in South Africa.

The prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis (Schistosoma haematobium) in canoeists in South Africa was estimated from examinations of urine samples taken from participants in the 1988 and 1989 Duzi Canoe Marathons on the Umsinduzi/Umgeni river in Natal. As an indicator of water quality during races, water samples were taken from the river for bacteriological analysis. Results showed a very low prevalence of S. haematobium and possible reasons for this are offered. Faecal coliform levels in the river water were unacceptably high during the races.