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The Florida Department of Health in St. Lucie County will maintain a swimming advisory for Veterans Memorial Park on the North Fork of the St. Lucie River in Port St. Lucie after sample results found higher than normal levels of enteric bacteria. Potential health risks for those who ingest or come in to contact with the water include upset stomach, diarrhea, eye irritation and skin rashes. Swimming in the waters is not recommended due to an increased risk of illness at this time.
Enteric bacteria inhabit the intestinal tract of humans and animals and their presence in recreational waters is an indication of fecal pollution. The bacteria may come from storm water runoff, pets, wildlife and human sewage.
The Florida Department of Health in St. Lucie County will continue the advisory until results are satisfactory. Samples were collected Monday January 9, 2023. Additional sampling is scheduled for Monday January 23, 2023, and the results will be available Thursday January 26, 2023.
For results of St. Lucie County River samples, visit the Florida Department of Health in St. Lucie County website at http://stlucie.floridahealth.gov/ click on Environmental Health, then select North Fork Bacteria Testing, then select North Fork-St. Lucie River Sample Results.
For more information, please contact environmental health division at 772-873-4931.
About the Florida Department of Health
The department, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter at @HealthyFla. For more information about the Florida Department of Health please visit www.FloridaHealth.gov.
Follow DOH-St. Lucie on Twitter at @FDOHStLucie.
To learn more about DOH-St. Lucie programs, visit http://stlucie.floridahealth.gov/index.html.
Original source can be found here.
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