Health officials threw some cold water on weekend swim plans Friday, warning that bacteria counts at several popular spots, including parts of Lake Pontchartrain and stretches of the Mississippi Gulf Coast, are running higher than normal. In some areas, agencies are flat-out discouraging getting in the water. Children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems are at particular risk when bacteria spike in lakes and along the coast.
Mississippi Beaches Stay Open, But “Swim At Your Own Risk”
State environmental regulators have posted water-contact advisories for several Gulf Coast beaches after tests showed elevated levels of enterococci bacteria at multiple sampling stations. The advisories cover areas that include Bay St. Louis, Long Beach, Gulfport West, Gulfport Harbor and Biloxi East Central. Officials are not closing the beaches, but they are warning that swimming or other contact with the water could make people sick and are repeating their standing advice to skip swimming during heavy rain and for 24 hours afterward. Fox Weather laid out the list of affected sites and the state’s guidance.
Lake Pontchartrain Bacteria Levels Raise Red Flags
On the Louisiana side, the Pontchartrain Conservancy and other local monitors have flagged higher than usual intestinal bacteria levels at several Lake Pontchartrain sites, prompting swim advisories and a fresh round of caution, according to WWLTV. Dr. David Mushatt, chief of adult infectious diseases at Tulane, told the station that swallowing a lot of lake or Gulf water or exposing a fresh cut to the water can give bacteria a direct route into the body and lead to illness. His basic rule for swimmers is simple: avoid open wounds in the water and shower off afterward.
Heavy Rain, Runoff And Sewer Overflows Blamed
State officials are pointing the finger at recent heavy rains, which can wash urban and farm runoff, pet and wildlife waste and occasional sewer overflows into coastal waters. Those conditions reliably push up levels of enterococci and other fecal indicator bacteria. The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality is again reminding the public that they should not swim during significant rainfall or within 24 hours after it ends, especially when sampling already shows elevated bacteria.
How To Check The Water Before You Go
Beachgoers do not have to guess about conditions before heading out. The Pontchartrain Conservancy’s Lake & Coast program posts weekly bacteria readings for multiple lake sites, and national tools such as the EPA’s beach mapping system let users look up current advisory status for many beaches. The Pontchartrain Conservancy’s Lake & Coast app is available in app stores, and the EPA’s BEACON map provides both current advisories and historical data for coastal recreation spots.
When A Post-Swim Rash Or Wound Is A Red Flag
Health officials say anyone who develops a worsening wound after being in the water should get urgent or emergency care, especially if there is spreading redness, warmth, swelling, fever, chills or red streaks radiating from the site. WWLTV also noted that children, older adults and people with compromised immune systems are being urged to steer clear of waters under advisory until testing shows bacteria levels are back in the safe range.
