As the Fourth of July weekend approaches in the United States, several beaches in California, Illinois, Massachusetts, New York, and Washington have been closed due to high bacterial levels.
In San Diego, California, officials have shut down at least six beaches as the bacterial concentration may exceed health standards, advising swimmers to avoid contact with the waters at these closed beaches.
The San Diego County Health Department announced on July 1 that heavy rainfall could cause city runoff to flow into the ocean and bays, leading to an increase in bacterial levels.
The announcement stated, “This pollution can significantly increase bacteria levels in ocean and bay waters, especially near storm drains, rivers, and estuary outlets.”
In Illinois, the state’s public health department reported that three beaches in McHenry County, located in the Chicago suburbs, have been closed due to high bacterial levels. Lake County adjacent to Chicago also has approximately six beaches closed for the same reason.
King County in Washington updated its beach map on June 30, indicating that four beaches have been closed due to excessive levels of “beach bacteria,” with warnings for swimmers to refrain from entering the waters, including beaches along the Puget Sound coastline.
The county, encompassing the Seattle area, stated on its website, “Do not swim at the following beaches: Pritchard Island Beach and West Green Lake Beach.”
On Long Island in New York, Suffolk County officials announced the closure of Benjamin Beach in Bay Shore, Ronkonkoma Beach in the Town of Islip, and Sayville Marina Park Beach in Sayville due to “bacterial levels exceeding acceptable standards,” prohibiting swimming.
Quoting local health officials, the county mentioned in its update, “Swimming in water contaminated with bacteria can lead to gastrointestinal illnesses, as well as infections in the eyes, ears, nose, and throat.” The closures are expected to last until July 2.
Another Long Island county, Nassau County, has closed Morgan Beach in Glen Cove since June 25 due to elevated bacterial levels. The county has not disclosed a reopening time, indicating that the closure will continue until tests show bacterial levels meet standards.
Nassau County also mentioned in its update that Biltmore Beach Club in Massapequa will remain closed until further notice due to high bacterial levels.
Meanwhile, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health stated on its website on July 2 that a few beaches in the state have been closed due to high bacterial levels.
However, according to the agency’s map and data, the majority of the state’s beaches remain open.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a warning on its website about a type of bacteria called Vibrio that may be present in coastal waters, causing symptoms such as diarrhea, stomach cramps, vomiting, fever, skin infections, and low blood pressure.
According to the CDC, certain types of Vibrio bacteria can lead to necrotizing fasciitis, a severe infection causing tissue around open wounds to die. Some media reports highlight Vibrio vulnificus, a type of Vibrio bacteria known as a “flesh-eating” strain.
Beaches may also be closed due to other types of bacteria, such as E. coli, salmonella, shigella, as well as intestinal parasites like giardia and cryptosporidium.
The recent closures serve as a precautionary measure to protect public health and safety during the holiday weekend, emphasizing the importance of monitoring water quality to prevent potential illnesses associated with high bacterial levels.