MONROE COUNTY, Mich. — UPDATE: The Monroe County Health Department announced Thursday that the beach advisory has been lifted after water sample results collected Wednesday found that levels of E.coli have dropped below the recommended limit.
The MCHD said full-body contact with the water and public swimming can resume.
The original story is below:
The Monroe County Health Department has issued a full body beach water advisory at Sterling State Park due to high levels of E.coli.
According to the health department, water samples were collected on Aug. 20 and indicated that the E.coli levels exceeded the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy's standard for water quality.
The health department is advising residents, visitors and pets to not immerse their heads under water, drink the water or enter the water with scrapes or cuts that could expose them to E.coli bacteria.
"Many factors can contribute to elevated levels of E.coli in surface water, including improperly functioning sewage systems, animal waste, field run-off from rain events and wildlife," Chris Westover, environmental health director with the Monroe County Health Department said. "We want to remind everyone to follow water advisories to keep themselves and their families safe from any disease-causing organisms."
The health department said to avoid bodily contact in areas where E.coli has been detected and avoid letting pets drink or play in the lake water. The MCHD also said to use caution if eating fish from impacted bodies of water and not water lawns or gardens with impacted water.
The health department said if you've been exposed to waters affected by the bacteria, shower yourself and your pets immediately with soap and warm water, and contact your physician or veterinarian if you or your pet are experiencing symptoms.
Exposure to contaminated water can cause flu-like symptoms such as diarrhea, abdominal cramping, fever and dehydration. The health department said upper respiratory illnesses can also occur, such as ear, nose and throat infections. Skin infections can also occur if an open wound is not properly protected.
The health department said water sampling will continue to be conducted on Wednesday and said when levels are reduced, they will notify the public when the advisory has been lifted.
