E. coli warning for Grand Lake and other GRDA waters
Water samples collected from the following lake and Illinois River areas confirmed the presence of high levels of E. coli:
Elk River, Grand Lake
Wolf Bay, Lake Hudson
Illinois River at Highway 59 Bridge, Chewey Bridge, Combs Bridge, and in Tahlequah.
Flint Creek at West Siloam Springs and the New Life Ranch area.
The public is advised that high levels of E. coli may be present in these areas over the weekend. Levels of E. coli often rise with inflows associated with the significant rainfall events that have recently occurred and are expected to continue in the area through the weekend.
GRDA encourages the public to practice common sense in the water and follow safe swimming practices, no matter which waters you plan to visit.
Those safe practices include several swimming tips from the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality:
Hold nose or wear nose plugs when jumping into the water.
Wash open skin cuts and scrapes immediately after swimming with clean soap and water.
Avoid swallowing water when swimming.
Wear earplugs to prevent ear infections.
Wear swim goggles or masks to prevent eye infections.
Avoid swimming near storm drains (pipes that drain polluted water from streets).
Take children to the restroom frequently/Use swim diapers on infants.
Also, after swimming, always remember to wash hands with soap and water for a full 20 seconds before preparing or eating food.
The GRDA Ecosystem and Watershed Management Department will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates and any future advisories as needed.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Indianapolis Star
2 hours ago
- Indianapolis Star
21, including children, fall ill in Florida after consuming raw milk
Florida health officials are issuing a warning about the dangers of consuming raw milk after 21 people in the northeast and central parts of the state drank raw milk from the same farm and fell ill. The Florida Department of Health issued the warning on Monday, Aug. 4, noting that due to sanitation practices and raw milk consumption, 21 people became sick, including six children under the age of 10. Among the patients, at least two have suffered "severe complications," the announcement read. The illnesses were linked to one farm. "Sanitation practices in this farm are of particular concern due to the number of cases," the department wrote. In Florida, raw milk is only sold for non-human consumption as pet or animal food, which limits regulation efforts of sanitary practices. Containers are supposed to be labeled so buyers know they contain raw milk for animal consumption only. "Floridians should be aware of potential risks associated with consumption, which may vary depending on the source of milk," the health department wrote. "The producer's handling of raw milk and milking procedures are vital in prevention of contamination. Many people consume raw milk safely." Here's what we know so far. Raw milk includes milk from cows, sheep, goats, or other animals that has not been pasteurized or heat-treated to destroy bacteria, the Florida Department of Health said in the announcement. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), raw milk can be a source of foodborne illness, and while while contamination can be reduced, there is no guaranteed protection from harmful germs in raw milk. "Pasteurized milk offers the same nutritional benefits without the risks of raw milk consumption," the CDC said on its website, adding that since the early 1900s, pasteurization has led to a drop in milk-borne illnesses. According to the Florida Department of Health, raw milk can contain disease-causing bacteria such as Campylobacter, Escherichia coli (E. coli), Listeria, Salmonella and others. The bacteria can cause gastrointestinal illness, including diarrhea, vomiting and stomach cramps. In California, state health officials warned the public after detecting the bird flu virus in raw milk from a central California dairy farm in November of last year. U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has previously been quoted as saying he only drinks raw milk. The most recent cases involved both Campylobacter and STEC (Shiga toxin-producing E. coli) infections, and were linked to one particular farm, the department said. STEC bacteria at its most severe can lead to kidney failure, the department said. Other people at high-risk for severe illness include infants and young children, pregnant women, elderly individuals and individuals with weakened immune systems. "Floridians are encouraged to use this information to make informed decisions about their health and sources of raw milk should they choose to consume it," the department said. Contributing: Natalie Neysa Alund, USA TODAY
Newsweek
3 hours ago
- Newsweek
Florida Officials Sound Alarm on Raw Milk, Children Among 21 Sick
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Six children are among 21 people infected with E. coli or campylobacter after drinking raw milk from a Florida farm, state health officials said Monday. Seven people have been hospitalized, at least two with severe complications, though the Florida Department of Health did not say whether any of the infected children under 10 are among those receiving hospital care, or how many illnesses were caused by each type of bacteria. In a public advisory, officials described the farm's sanitation practices as "of particular concern" but did not name the operation, which is located in northeast and central Florida. A dairy cow is milked at a farm in Newcastle, Maine, Tuesday, March 31, 2015. A dairy cow is milked at a farm in Newcastle, Maine, Tuesday, March 31, 2015. Associated Press Despite longstanding federal warnings that raw milk is one of the "riskiest" foods people can consume, unpasteurized dairy appears to be gaining popularity. The FDA and CDC warn that raw milk is far more likely than pasteurized milk to cause illnesses and hospitalizations because it can contain harmful bacteria such as campylobacter, listeria, salmonella and E. coli. These infections can lead to gastrointestinal illness and, in severe cases, life-threatening complications such as kidney failure — with children, the elderly, immunocompromised people and pregnant women at the highest risk. "We invented pasteurization for a reason," said Keith Schneider, a food safety professor at the University of Florida. "It's maddening that this is happening." In Florida, selling raw milk for human consumption is illegal, but retailers skirt the ban by labeling it as pet or animal food. Schneider called the practice a "wink, wink, nudge, nudge" form of regulation, noting that "everybody knows" it is being consumed by people. He said illnesses from raw milk are "not a question of if, but when." This article includes reporting by the Associated Press. This is a breaking news story. Updates to follow.
UPI
4 hours ago
- UPI
Florida health officials link 21 illness incidents to raw milk
The Florida Department of Health issued a warning to residents about the dangers of drinking raw milk after 21 illnesses were linked to products from a single farm. File Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License Photo Health officials in Florida are warning folks about the dangers of drinking raw milk after 21 people got sick from products linked to a single farm. The Florida Department of Health said six of the sickened individuals are children under age 10. Seven people were hospitalized, and two developed serious complications. "Sanitation practices in this farm are of particular concern due to the number of cases," the department said in a statement. While the name of the farm has not been released, officials said the raw milk was sold in Northeast and Central Florida. In Florida, it's illegal to sell raw milk for people to drink, but it can be sold if labeled as pet food. Raw milk is milk that has not been pasteurized, a process that heats milk to kill harmful bacteria. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warn that raw milk can harbor dangerous bacteria like E. coli, campylobacter, listeria and salmonella. These germs can cause vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps and more serious problems like kidney failure. In fact, the FDA reports that since 1987, 143 outbreaks have been linked to raw milk or raw milk products. Some led to miscarriages, stillbirths, kidney failure and even death. Pasteurization is required by federal law for milk sold across state lines. Many states also ban or limit the sale of raw milk in general. In an earlier interview with CBS News, raw milk advocate Mark McAfee claimed that raw milk contains "bioactives" that boost the immune system. He sells his products in California, where raw milk is legal. The CDC disagrees with these claims. "Pasteurized milk offers the same nutritional benefits without the risks of raw milk consumption," it says. "Since the early 1900s, pasteurization has greatly reduced milk-borne illnesses." In a statement, Florida officials said: "Many people consume raw milk safely. However, raw milk can contain disease-causing bacteria." Risks depend on how the milk is handled and where it comes from. "Floridians should be aware of potential risks associated with consumption, which may vary depending on the source of milk," the statement said. "The producer's handling of raw milk and milking procedures are vital in prevention of contamination." More information The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more on consuming raw milk. Copyright © 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
