bacteria in florida beaches

[Wendy]

Officials warn of bacteria outbreaks at 5 South Florida beaches

FORT LAUDERDALE (AP) - Health official warned of extensive bacteria
outbreaks at five South Florida beaches, posing a risk for
gastrointestinal diseases.

High levels of enterococci bacteria were detected Thursday in the
waters off Fort Lauderdale, Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, Pompano Beach and
the town of Gulf Stream in Palm Beach County.

Health officials also found high levels of fecal coliform bacteria
off Hollywood and Hallandale Beach. Additional tests on Friday will
determine whether warnings are also needed at those beaches.

People who enter the water in the advised areas have a greater risk
of contracting gastrointestinal diseases, including salmonella,
cholera, shigellosis and hepatitis A.

Both types of bacteria are found in human and animal waste, but the
state Health Department does not know what caused the outbreak.

A passing ship could have dumped sewage into the water in order to
cause an outbreak of this size, said Tim O'Connor, of the Palm Beach
County Health Department.

Droppings from birds, dogs and other animals could have been drawn
into the water by heavy surf, said Howard Rosen, environmental
administrator for the Broward County Health Department.

The state Health Department tests water quality at popular beaches
regularly. Warnings are issued for a high bacteria levels a few times
a year, but usually for a smaller area.

"It's very unusual," Rosen said. "I don't think we've ever had this
many sites."

Health advisories were also posted for nine miles of beach in Volusia
County, more than 150 miles north of Palm Beach County. But health
officials said they didn't know whether the outbreak there was
related to the southern one.

 

[cudachaser]

There was an outbreak in Volusia County, below Daytona beach 2 days ago!

 

[Wendy]

A friend of mine was swimming in south Volusia county 2 weeks ago and developed a bad bacterial infection in his ear that spread to his (i think) eustation tube. He has this big mass of infection blocking the tube. I felt it trhu his skin, felt like a hard malt ball in there. Doctor put him on antibiotics. Just think of the poor marine mammels and fishies living in that stuff.

 

[100days-a-year]

Ever wonder where the septic tanks drained to?Isn't limestone a porous rock.You'll not catch me swimmin' in canals.Shame it's so hard to prove a guilty culprit guilty.

 

[cudachaser]

The clammers in the Indian River below Titusville were being shut down from high fecal coliform counts (results of mammelian defication).

Clammers claimed it was runoff from septic tanks from the communities of Port St John and Canaveral Groves. We sampled point runoff sources for about 10 mile run of suspected coast line. Found no expected "hot spots", just a high backround.

Though this wasn't documented but was discussed...We had at least 1000 clam boats in the river with usually 2 clammers per boat...they were in the water from sunrise to mid afternoon, 7 days a week. These boats were barely able to float let alone provide a head...where do think the clammers relieved themselves during the day?

Another factor comes into play. That section of the Indian River has the highest manatee populution in Florida... they gotta go too.

Well, after the clammers raked the clam population into oblivion, they are all gone now and now guess what? No fecal coliform problem anymore...

Something to think about while enjoying a nice bowl of clam chowder...remember, clams are bottom feeders

Enjoy your dinner!

 

[100days-a-year]

cudachaser,so should we eat Manatees so they don't endanger clams which being filter feeders will clean up some bacteria if not eaten.

 

[KeyLargoBrent]

food for thought!