Two Spanish beaches are closed after 40 swimmers erupt in mysterious itchy rash and bites 

Two Spanish beaches popular with tourists have been closed after more than 40 bathers came out in a mysterious rash and severe itching.

Health chiefs are investigating the cause of the incidents at the beaches of La Virgen del Mar in Santander and San Juan de la Canal in Santa Cruz de Bezana, both in Cantabria, northern Spain.

Swimmers have complained that the painful skin condition had brought them out in hives and bites. They were treated at the beach by Red Cross workers.

One of the beaches, Playa de San Juan de la Canal, which was closed on 

Public health officials from the Canatabria government, local police and the Civil Guard have taken water samples which are now being analysed. As yet, the cause is not known so the beaches have been closed as a precautionary measure.

The government confirmed: ‘About 40 bathers are affected by itching, forcing the closure of the beaches of the Virgen del Mar and San Juan de la Canal. 

‘Autonomous Government technicians will analyse the different samples collected to determine the cause of this situation.’

About 30 of those affected erupted in a painful rash after swimming at the San Juan de la Canal beach. The welts are said to have gone away of their own accord after a short time.

Both councils said they had taken the decision to close the beaches as a precautionary measure.

Local residents say they are furious as they claim similar situations have happened before but nothing has been done to solve it.

They are putting the blame on a treatment plant at Santander which, they say, has underwater pipes which pump out waste.