TAMPA, Fla. — The Florida Department of Health issued a water quality advisory for three Hillsborough County beaches due to possible fecal contamination.
Bahia, Davis Islands and E.G. Simmons beaches are under advisory after tests last week revealed the water doesn't "meet the recreational water quality criteria for Enterococcus bacteria," according to a news release. This type of bacteria usually is caused by fecal waste, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
The water at Picnic Island also doesn't meet the criteria, officials said.
This specific type of bacteria can cause UTIs, meningitis, wound infections and abdominal infections, according to the National Institutes of Health. The level of bacteria exceeds the level established by state guidelines.
The department advises against any water-related activities at these locations because of an increased risk of illness. The advisory will continue until the levels are below the accepted health level, officials said in the release.