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.
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.
