In a note published on its website, the APA informs that the ban has been in force since Monday.
Contacted by Lusa, the Environment Councillor at Braga City Council, Altino Bessa, said that the ban occurred after seven swimmers felt eye irritation and itchy skin on Sunday.
“Two went to the hospital and did not stay there for more than an hour, others did not want any assistance and another, aged 14, was also not treated after his parents signed a liability waiver,” he said.
Water samples were collected and analysed in a laboratory, and the ban on bathing will remain in place until the results are known.
Altino Bessa admits, however, that the situation was not due to the quality of the water, since hundreds of bathers were at the beach and only seven complained.
The problem, he said, may have to do with allergies to the pollen from the grasses that grow there.
Grasses are known to be one of the main causes of respiratory allergies, especially during spring and summer, when they release large amounts of pollen into the air.
“This is just a hypothesis that I am putting forward, but only the results of the analyses will allow us to draw conclusions,” Altino Bessa emphasized.
The quality of the water at Adaúfe beach was awarded “Gold” this year by the environmental association Quercus.
The beach was also awarded a blue flag this summer.