Florida Department of Health in St. Lucie County is issuing a swimming advisory for Jaycee Park on South Hutchinson Island after testing revealed higher than normal levels of enteric bacteria. Potential health risks for those who ingest or come in 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 August 12, 2019 and Wednesday August 14, 2019. Sampling is scheduled for Monday August 19, 2019 and the results will be available Thursday August 22, 2019.
For results of all St. Lucie County beach samples, visit the Florida Department of Health in St. Lucie County website at http://stlucie.floridahealth.gov and click on Environmental Health, then select Health Beaches Program, then select Florida Healthy Beaches Website.
For more information, please contact environmental health division at 772-873-4931.
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.
Follow us on Twitter at @HealthyFla and on Facebook. For more information about the Florida Department of Health please visit www.FloridaHealth.gov.
