Fourth of July Beach Closures: High Bacteria Levels Impact Coastal Waters Nationwide
July 3, 2024Beaches in Florida, Long Island, Cascais, Massachusetts, California, and Michigan are facing closures or swim warnings due to high levels of bacteria.
In Massachusetts, 37 beaches were closed due to fecal bacteria exceedance, specifically enterococci bacteria indicating contamination by fecal waste.
Cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae, were detected in two Massachusetts beaches, causing symptoms like headaches and stomach pain.
Thirty beaches, lakes, and ponds in Massachusetts remain closed to swimmers ahead of the Fourth of July holiday due to harmful bacteria levels.
The Virginia Department of Health issued swimming advisories for several beaches in Norfolk, Hampton, and Newport News due to elevated enterococci bacteria levels after heavy rains.
These elevated bacteria levels pose a risk of gastrointestinal illness to swimmers.
Signs have been posted to notify the public, with more testing scheduled and advisories potentially remaining in place through the weekend.
Beach visitors are urged to monitor closures and advisories to ensure safe decisions regarding swimming.
Summary based on 8 sources
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Sources
Time • Jul 2, 2024
What to Know About Beach Closures Across U.S.Yahoo News • Jul 2, 2024
30 Massachusetts beaches remain closed Tuesday ahead of Fourth of JulyYahoo News • Jul 1, 2024
More than 30 beaches closed in Massachusetts ahead of Fourth of JulyPatch • Jun 27, 2024
Bacteria Scare Closes 63 Long Island Beaches: SC Health Dept.