A recent viral social media post warns cruise passengers about health risks associated with a popular Bahamas excursion: swimming with pigs at Pig Beach near Nassau.
A New York woman claims she contracted a parasitic roundworm infection, Ascaris suum, after holding a piglet close to her face during a swimming with the pigs excursion at Paradise Island.
The woman reportedly suffered for over six years with worsening symptoms, including facial lesions, headaches, severe gum pain, and gastrointestinal issues.
After consulting multiple doctors and infectious disease specialists, she reported being repeatedly misdiagnosed or dismissed—at one point, even mistaken for a drug addict due to her appearance.
Only after self-medicating with a parasite treatment sourced from Mexico did her symptoms become undeniable, prompting a doctor to confirm the presence of Ascaris suum, a parasite typically found in pigs.
Experts say that Ascaris suum can infect humans through contact with contaminated feces or soil, though such cases are rare.
A commenter on Facebook said, “I did this experience in the Bahamas and was also disgusted that people were literally in the water with actively pooping pigs. I went leg deep because the pigs were cute but man it was grotesque.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cautions that close interaction with pigs may pose disease risks.
Pig Beach excursions are popular across the Bahamas, especially in the Exumas and near Nassau.
Although most tourists enjoy the experience without incident, there have been isolated reports of bacterial infections, including cellulitis and flesh-eating bacteria linked to open wounds and contaminated water.
Cruise passengers planning to swim with pigs should take precautions like avoiding touching their faces during interactions, steering clear of pig feces, protecting any open wounds, and washing their hands thoroughly afterward.
It’s also wise to check for current health advisories before your trip.
