Harmful bacteria found in coastal waters lead to beach closures in the US: Officials share spots you must avoid
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It is a perfect plan for families and couples, wishing to enjoy some time together on the celebrated day.
In case you are planning some beach trips in the coming few weeks, it is important to note that officials have closed off swimming at beaches in parts of Illinois, Washington and New York due to excessive bacteria in the water.
According to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, the bacteria known as Vibrio, often found in coastal waters cause various symptoms such as diarrhoea, stomach cramps, vomiting, fever, skin lesions and even dangerously low blood pressure.
The centre also warns that some Vibrio bacteria can cause severe and life-threatening infections.
These are the areas and beaches you must avoid when planning a trip for the Fourth of July:
Long Island, New York
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Health officials in New York have closed swimming at several beaches in Nassau and Suffolk counties due to elevated bacteria levels. Since June 25, bathing is restricted at these beaches until samples prove the waters are safe again:
Benjamin Beach in Bay Shore
Ronkonkoma Beach in the Town of Islip
Sayville Marina Park Beach in Sayville
Morgan Beach in Glen Cove
Biltmore Beach Club in Massapequa
Massachusetts
In Massachusetts, 19 beaches are closed to the public due to "bacterial exceedance" posing the risk of illness, as per the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. These are:
Pomps Pond in Andover
Damon Pond Beach in Ashby
Upper Mill Pond in Brewster
Walden Pond in Concord
Sandy Beach in Danvers
Kings in Lynn
Magnolia and Tuck's Point in Manchester
Henry F Collins Beach in Marlborough
Cochituate State Park Beach in Natick
Long Beach in Rockport
Children's Island (Back and Walley) and Ocean Avenue in Salem
Peckham Pond at Camp Nihan in Saugus
Beamans Pond (Campground and Day Use) in Templeton
Seth's Pond in West Tisbury
Shannon Beach at Upper Mystic in Winchester
Washington
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The King County public health department announced the closure of at least five beaches in Seattle due to high bacteria concentration and one due to toxic algae. These include:
Houghton Beach in Kirkland
Madison Park Beach in Seattle
Madrona Beach in Seattle
Matthews Beach in Seattle
Mount Baker Park Beach in Seattle
West Green Lake Beach in Seattle (Due to toxic algae)
Illinois
Along Chicago's northern suburbs, the Illinois Department of Public Health announced multiple beach closures last week due to elevated bacteria levels, which include:
North Point Marina Beach and Waukegan North Beach in Lake County
Main Beach in Crystal Lake
Butch Hagele Beach and Indian Trail Beach and in the Illinois suburb Lake in the Hills
Michigan
Michigan beaches are also not safe for a Fourth of July trip it seems with at least five beaches being closed due to unsafe swimming environments.
Dodge Park #4 in Oakland County
Thelma Spencer Park in Oakland County
Dumont Lake Park Beach in Allegan County
St. Clair Shores Memorial Park Beach in Macomb County
Sunset Park in Emmet County
California
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On Friday, June 27, multiple beaches in San Diego County were under water contact advisories due to heightened bacteria levels. However, there have been no announcements of closures due to low severity, as per the San Diego County Department of Environmental Health and Quality.
Coronado
Ocean Beach
Mission Bay
La Jolla
Del Mar
Cardif
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