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High bacteria count detected at Hanakaoo

The Maui News

High levels of bacteria have been detected in the waters off Hanakaoo, the state Department of Health warned Thursday afternoon.

Enterococci levels of 137 per 100 milliliters were measured during routine beach monitoring by the department’s Clean Water Branch, indicating that potentially harmful microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, protozoa or parasites may be present in the water, the department said.

The advisory will remain in effect until water sample results no longer exceed 130 enterococci per 100 mL.

Children, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems are most likely to develop illnesses or infections after coming into contact with polluted water, usually while swimming. Fortunately, while swimming-related illnesses can be unpleasant, they are usually not very serious, requiring little or no treatment with no long-term effects, the department said.

The most common illness associated with swimming in pathogen-polluted water is gastroenteritis. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, stomachache, diarrhea, headache or fever. Other minor illnesses associated with swimming include ear, eye, nose and throat infections. In highly polluted water, swimmers may occasionally be exposed to more serious diseases.

Not all illnesses from a day at the beach are from swimming. Food poisoning from improperly refrigerated picnic lunches may also have some of the same symptoms as swimming-related illnesses, including stomachache, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

For updates on the advisory, visit eha-cloud.doh.hawaii.gov/cwb/#!/viewer?eventId=1114.

For general information, visit www.epa.gov/beaches/learn-human-health-beach.

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