SARASOTA COUNTY, Fla. — The Florida Department of Health in Sarasota has lifted a no-swim advisory for Bird Key Park on Friday.
The initial advisory was issued Thursday after levels of enterococcus bacteria were found to be outside of acceptable limits.
The park, also known as Ringling Causeway, was tested Monday and then again Thursday, according to a news release. Results were delivered Friday afternoon.
During the no-swim advisory, officials said the beach would remain open but warned against wading, swimming and water recreation. Additionally, health officials cautioned beachgoers that they could have encountered hurricane debris in the water that could potentially cause physical injury.
Enterococcus bacteria can come from a variety of natural and human-made sources, officials noted in the release. These include pet waste, livestock, birds, land-dwelling and marine wildlife, stormwater runoff and human sewage from failed septic systems and sewage spills.
“When these bacteria are found at high levels in recreational waters, there is a risk that some people may become ill," DOH-Sarasota Environmental Administrator Tom Higginbotham said in a statement. "People, especially those who are very young, elderly or who have a weak immune system that swallow water while swimming can get stomach or intestinal illnesses.
"If water contacts a cut or sore, people can get infections or rashes."
Health officials believe that these elevated bacteria levels may be due to natural sources related to Hurricane Ian. They also noted in the release that significant rainfall may have contributed as well as wrack lines, which provide food for shorebirds and wildlife and act as natural bacteria reservoirs.
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