High bacteria levels lead to Florida beach warnings

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Health officials issued swim advisories for areas of Atlantic Beach and Jacksonville Beach on Friday because of high bacteria levels.

The beaches remained opened, but signs were posted in a half-mile area around the Jacksonville Beach lifeguard station warning beachgoers about the unsafe condition.

High levels of fecal coliform and enterococci bacteria were found during routing testing Tuesday, and the readings were confirmed on consecutive days.

It was the first time unsafe levels have been detected in the area since testing began in 1999.

"The beach is still very crowded, but people are just not swimming in that area," Mike Lerian, captain of Jacksonville Beach's Ocean Rescue, told The Florida Times-Union.

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. Possible sources of bacteria are wildlife, storm runoff or sewage dumped offshore by a passing ship and carried in by wind and tides.

The bacteria can cause diarrhea, vomiting and rashes, Duval County health environmental toxicologist Aaron Hilliard said.

"We have to advise them that it could increase their risk for health problems," Hilliard said.

Health officials will increase the frequency of testing and lift advisories once levels return to normal.

------

Information from: The Florida Times-Union, http://www.jacksonville.com