Daytona Beach, Fla. - Today the Department of Health (DOH) in Volusia County lifted the beach swimming advisory for the Main Street area of Daytona Beach. Water sampling results received Saturday showed decreased levels of enterococci bacteria.

On Friday, DOH-Volusia issued the precautionary swimming advisory based on water samples taken earlier in the week. A swimming advisory means contact with the water may pose an increased risk of infectious disease based upon Environmental Protection Agency criteria.

The Department’s Healthy Beaches Program monitors 13 sites that span over 40 miles of beach. Bacteria levels tested lower at all other sites. The advisory only was issued for the beach area around Main Street.

Every other week, DOH-Volusia analyzes ocean water samples for enterococci bacteria. Enterococci bacteria can be found in the intestinal tract of humans and other animals. It can cause gastrointestinal illness, upper respiratory infections, or skin infections of open wounds or sores.

DOH-Volusia environmental health staff said the spike in levels may have been a natural variation. When ocean samples were taken earlier in the week, a large flock of birds was in the area and ocean conditions were calm. Without the natural mixing and dispersion that normally occurs, fecal matter from the birds may have been concentrated in the ocean water samples.

Information on the Florida Healthy Beaches Program is online at volusiahealth.com.

About the Florida Department of Health

The department works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.

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