Many Americans love to flock toward the ocean to celebrate Independence Day, but high bacteria levels in the water in various areas around the country may disrupt tradition.
Officials have closed off swimming at beaches in some parts of Illinois, New York and Washington due to excessive bacteria in the water. In Massachusetts, nearly 20 beaches are closed to the public as swimming could cause illness, according to the Patriot Ledger, part of the USA TODAY Network.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns that bacteria known as vibrio are often typically found in coastal waters and can cause various vibriosis symptoms, including diarrhea, stomach cramps, vomiting and fever, as well as blistering skin lesions and dangerously low blood pressure. The CDC warns that some vibrio bacteria can cause severe and life-threatening infections.
Here’s some of the areas where excessive bacteria levels prompted beach closures or advisories ahead of the Fourth of July.
New York health officials have prohibited swimming at several beaches in Nassau and Suffolk counties due to elevated bacterial levels.
Since June 25, bathing is restricted at the following beaches until sample testing proves that waters are safe to swim in again:
Officials have closed 19 beaches off to the public due to “bacterial exceedance” posing the risk of illness, according to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.
This includes the following beaches:
At least five beaches in the Seattle area have been closed due to high bacteria levels while one (West Green Lake Beach) has been closed due to toxic algae, King County’s public health department warned over the weekend.
The Illinois Department of Public Health issued multiple beach closures last week along Chicago’s northern suburbs due to elevated bacteria levels. This includes the following:
In Michigan, several beaches are under contamination advisories due to unsafe swimming conditions.
Multiple beaches in San Diego County were under water contact advisories Friday, June 27 due to excessive bacteria levels.
However, no warnings and closures have been issued yet due to the low severity, according to the San Diego County Department of Environmental Health and Quality.
Contributing: Catherine Messier, USA TODAY Network