FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contacts: Scott Schermerhorn,  Nancy Hendershot
September 30, 2007
(941) 743-1266


THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH (DOH) CHARLOTTE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT (CCHD) ANNOUNCES NEW PUBLIC COMMUNICATION TOOLS TO IDENTIFY UNHEALTHY PUBLIC BEACHES IN CHARLOTTE COUNTY.


Charlotte County Health Department posts new beach warning signs at public beaches and participates in the DOH Healthy Beaches Program.

Port Charlotte (FL) - — The Florida Department of Health (DOH) Charlotte County Health Department is participating in the Florida Healthy Beaches Program. The Healthy Beaches Program involves the monitoring of salt or brackish water beaches and issues health advisories if beach waters fail to meet required standards. The goal of the program is to prevent waterborne illness by advising Florida residents and visitors against recreating in waters potentially contaminated with human pathogens.

Nine beaches throughout Charlotte County are sampled and monitored weekly for numbers of bacteria. Fecal coliforms and enteroccci are bacteria that are indicators of associated pathogenic bacteria that may cause illness in swimmers. The two bacteria inhabit warm blooded animals and are excreted in animal waste products. Although these organisms may not necessarily be pathogenic (disease causing) they indicate the possibility of pathogenic microorganisms that may be present in the water, If high concentrations of pathogenic organisms are ingested while in recreational waters or enter through an open cut or sore they may cause human disease or infections. The most common symptoms include rashes, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting.

The newly erected 30” x 17” reflective metal signs will be placed prominently on monitored beaches. They will read “This Beach Monitored as Part of the Healthy Beaches Program” Under normal conditions “No Water Quality Advisory at this Time.” Will be displayed. Should a warning or an advisory be issued based upon the results of the sampling the new permanently placed metal signs will be adjusted to read “ADVISORY” “High Bacteria Levels Swimming NOT Recommended -- Increased Risk of Illness at This Time”. This statement coupled with the large universal no swimming icon should warn individuals to refrain from recreating in the water until the advisory is lifted.