Bay County attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors to its 27 miles of sandy-white beaches on crystal-blue Gulf waters. Whether you live here or are just visting, you should know when to swim it or shore it. Swim it only if you have a buddy. Make sure to check beach safety flags and any advisories. Shore it if you have any open cut or wound or a weak immune system. Everyone should shore it from algae blooms they see or smell.
Healthy Beaches Monitoring Program
In 1998, five of Florida’s coastal counties began monitoring for enterococci bacteria under a grant-funded pilot program. By the beginning of 2000, 11 Florida counties were participating in the program, which continued through July.
In August 2000, the Beach Water Sampling Program was extended to 30 of Florida’s coastal counties through state legislation (Senate Bill 1412 and House Bill 2145) and funding. In addition, sampling under the new program include fecal coliform as well as enterococci bacteria. The rationale for selecting these two bacteria for analysis and implications of the sampling results are described below. In August 2002, the beach water sampling program also began collecting water samples on a weekly basis with additional funding from U.S. EPA.
Changes to funding levels in 2011 resulted in a return to bi-weekly sampling, the elimination of all fecal coliform sampling, and a reduction of the number of sample locations. Since enterococcus bacteria are indicators of the same types of pollution as fecal coliform bacteria, this did not affect the safety of Florida Residents. At this time sampling in the northern parts of the state was also suspended during the winter months, November through February.
Water Sampling Program
Water is one of the most important necessities of life; however, it can be an effective vehicle for transmitting disease. A safe water supply is a great concern for DOH-Bay. Health education materials are presented and explained to residents and visitors on a daily basis. Written instructions for collecting private water samples are explained and issued routinely. Water samples are accepted Monday through noon on Thursday.
Swimming Illnesses
There is always a potential risk of contracting a swimming-related illness when the water is contaminated. However, the outcome depends on the health of the individual.
There is no guarantee that you will get sick when an advisory is issued, and no guarantee that you will not get sick when there is no advisory. When bacteria levels exceed the established criteria, or conditions at the beach increase bacterial levels, risks of illness due to microorganism exposure increases.
Most swimming-related illnesses are minor for people in good health, requiring little or no treatment, and usually no long-term health effects. The most common health implications or illness associated with swimming in contaminated water, dependent on type and duration of exposure, include: gastroenteritis (nausea, vomiting, headache, stomachache, fever, and diarrhea); ear, nose, and throat infections; rashes; and wound infections through an open cut or wound.
Red Tide
Red tide may cause coughing, sneezing and water eyes. People with chronic respiratory problems, should avoid areas with active red tide. Seafood sold in restaurants, hotels, grocery stores are markets is safe to eat.
For information on health effects related to Ride Tide, visit the Department of Health’s Aquatic Toxins program.
For the latest Red Tide testing results, visit the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
For questions and health concerns related to red tide, call Florida Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222.
Vibrio Vulnificus
Vibrio vulnificus is a bacterium that normally lives in warm seawater and is part of a group of vibrios that are called “halophilic” because they require salt.Vibrio vulnificus infections are rare. Vibrio vulnificus is a naturally occurring bacteria in warm, brackish seawater.
Water and wounds do not mix. Do not enter the water if you have fresh cuts or scrapes.
Necrotizing Fascitis
Necrotizing fasciitis (many times called “flesh eating bacteria” by the media) is caused by more than one type of bacteria. Several bacteria, common in our environment can cause this condition – the most common cause of necrotizing fasciitis is Group A strep. People do not “catch” necrotizing fasciitis; it is a complication or symptom of a bacterial infection that has not been promptly or properly treated.
Sometimes people call Vibrio vulnificus the “flesh eating bacteria.” Vibrio vulnificus is a naturally occurring bacteria found in warm salty waters such as the Gulf of Mexico and surrounding bays. Concentrations of this bacteria are higher when the water is warmer. Necrotizing fasciitis and severe infections with Vibrio vulnificus are rare. These infections can be treated with antibiotics and sometimes require surgery to remove damaged tissue.
How to Reduce Your Risk of Exposure
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) encourages all people to avoid open bodies of water (such as the Gulf), pools and hot tubs with breaks in the skin. These can include cuts and scrapes, burns, insect bites, puncture wounds, or surgical wounds.
The Florida Department of Health and the CDC encourage good wound care, as the best way to prevent any bacterial skin infection. Keep open wounds covered with clean, dry bandages until healed and don’t delay first aid of even minor, non-infected wounds like blisters, scrapes or any break in the skin.
You can prevent these types of infections when at the beach or bay by:
- Avoiding walking, sitting, or swimming in Gulf or bay waters with open wounds,
- Properly cleaning and treating wounds after:
- Accidentally exposing a wound to Gulf or bay waters,
- Getting an injury injured while in the water, or
- Getting an injury while cleaning or handling seafood.
- Seeking medical treatment immediately if you develop signs or symptoms of an infection (redness, swelling, fever, severe pain in area of red or swollen skin) near or around a wound.
People with the greatest risk of exposure to bacteria in water bodies, pools or hots tubs are very young children, the elderly (>64 years old), and people with chronic diseases and/or weaken immune systems since their ability to fight off infection can be limited by disease or age. This doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the Gulf, bay, pools or hot tubs. Rather you are encouraged to monitor your overall health and skin condition for possible signs of infection.
It is important for individuals receiving medical care to let their doctor know of any recent exposure to Gulf or bay waters, pools or hot tubs. Timely treatment is necessary to prevent serious complications.