Department of Health advises no swimming at Blind Pass Beach on Sanibel
Sanibel beach goers were greeted by red and yellow warning signs on Blind Pass Beach (6497 Sanibel-Captiva Road) advising them to not swim in the Gulf Friday.
The Florida Department of Health is advising the public to not go into the water off of Blind Pass Beach because of high levels of enterococcus bacteria, during a regularly scheduled water quality check completed Thursday, Oct. 29.
Enterococcus bacteria causes clinically infections in humans, including urinary tract infections, bacteremia, bacterial endocarditis, diverticulitis and meningitis. Infections seriously affect people who are ill or have weak immune systems.
The infections are treated with antibiotics.
The water quality with higher presence of this bacteria is usually caused by pollution, sewage, pet fecal matter or storm water runoff.
The advisement of no swimming remains until at least Tuesday, Nov. 3, when a new test will be taken to check for levels of the bacteria.
For more information, call 239-274-2200 or go to lee.floridahealth.gov/.