Elevated indicators of fecal bacteria

Contact:
Communications Office
Chd50Contactus@flhealth.gov
561-671-4014

Palm Beach County, FL – Due to a recent wastewater spill into the Intracoastal Waterway near East Ocean Avenue, Boynton Beach, the Florida Department of Health in Palm Beach County today issued a health alert, and no swim advisory to residents and visitors near the area. Drinking water is not affected.

Until further information is known regarding possible bacterial contamination, residents and visitors in the area are urged to take precautions when in contact with the Intracoastal Waterway near East Ocean Avenue, Boynton Beach in Palm Beach County. The City of Boynton Beach is coordinating testing and cleanup actions with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

Water contaminated with elevated fecal bacteria presents several health risks to humans. Microbes in fecal bacteria could cause gastrointestinal issues and other conditions.

Anyone who comes into contact with the water in this area should wash thoroughly, especially before eating or drinking. Children and older adults, as well as people with weakened immune systems are particularly vulnerable to disease, so every precaution should be taken if needed.

For more information about the potential health effects of wastewater overflow, Floridians are encouraged to contact DOH-Palm Beach at 561-837-5900 or chd50contactus@flhealth.gov.

About the Florida Department of Health

The department, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.

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Follow DOH-Palm Beach on Twitter at @HealthyFLPBC. To learn more about DOH-Palm Beach programs, visit http://palmbeach.floridahealth.gov/.