Bacteria Detected in South Florida Beaches

March 11, 2003

Bacteria Detected in South Florida Beaches
Health officials are warning travelers of extensive bacteria outbreaks at five popular tourist beaches in South Florida, including Fort Lauderdale beach, Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, Pompano Beach, Gulf Stream, Hollywood and Hallandale.

According to MSNBC.com, high levels of enterococci bacteria were detected in the beaches’ waters late last week. The bacteria can increase the risk for swimmers of developing gastrointestinal diseases, such as hepatitis A, shigellosis and cholera, which can cause severe intestinal pain.

Health advisories are posted throughout the area warning swimmers of the bacteria outbreak.

For more on this story, visit MSNBC.com.