FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Monday, December 22, 2014

Contact: Stefany Strong, Public Information Officer
386-274-0838

SWIMMING ADVISORY ISSUED FOR MAIN ST, INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY BLVD AND SILVER BEACH AVE BEACH APPROACHES IN DAYTONA BEACH

DAYTONA BEACH – The Florida Department of Health in Volusia County has issued a swimming advisory for the Main Street, International Speedway Boulevard and Silver Beach Avenue areas of the beach based on recent water sampling.

“We typically see elevated bacteria levels during this time of year due to increased migratory bird populations,” said Dr. Bonnie Sorensen, Florida Department of Health in Volusia County Director.

These sites represent a small section of Volusia County’s coastline. The Healthy Beaches Program monitors 13 sites that span over 40 miles of beach area. Bacteria levels were lower at all other sites tested and the advisory is only for the area around these sites. Advisory signs will be posted.

A swimming advisory means that contact with the water may pose an increased risk of infectious disease based upon Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) criteria, and swimming is not recommended at this time.

This is a precautionary advisory and not a closure of Volusia County’s beaches. Environmental Health experts say the spike in levels is a natural phenomenon. A spike has occurred every winter for the past several years. In every case, the levels have returned to the normal range in a matter of days or weeks.

Water samples are analyzed for enterococci bacteria. Enterococci bacteria can be found in the intestinal tract of humans and other animals. Associated bacteria can cause gastrointestinal illness, upper respiratory infections, or skin infections if open wounds or sores exist.

Water sampling will continue and the beach advisory will be lifted as soon as it is possible to do so.

Background information on the Aquatic Toxins Program and Florida Healthy Beaches Program can be found at: www.floridashealth.gov.