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Summer vacationers are being warned about at least two nasty germs on several different beaches in Texas and Florida after harmful bacteria was found hiding in the ocean.
According to ABC News, 23 beaches in Texas have reported high levels of Enterococci bacteria, with 17 of those beaches being in the Galveston area.
The news station reports that this harmful bacteria is generally found in fecal matter.
Since there have been so many high rains in this particular region lately, some of the waste from several septic tanks and treatment centers has been carried upstream and into the Gulf, KHOU-TV reported.
If you have a summer vacation planned already, there’s no need to be worried about going in the water, as long as you’re healthy.
For those with open wounds or weak immune systems, however, you could be at a higher risk for infections and diarrhea.
Since the higher levels of Enterococci bacteria were found last weekend, they have reportedly already started going down.
In a new Facebook post, the Galveston County Health District said that about 94 per cent of beachgoers were free of any threat, even after going in the water.
That being said, they still suggest checking your local advisories online before heading out to the beach, especially if you’re not feeling very well.
Now, for beachgoers in Florida, you might want to worry just a little more than those in Texas.
ABC News reported earlier this month that a potentially deadly "flesh-eating" bacteria in saltwater in Florida, called Vibrio vulnificus, has already infected seven people and tragically killed two this year.
Though the infection is extremely rare, it is spread through raw shellfish and warm seawater, mainly infecting the gastrointestinal tract and skin.
Again, the risk of infection is much higher for those with open wounds or weak immune systems.
Beachgoers affected by this “flesh-eating” bacteria may face infection, ulcers, amputation, and even death in some cases.
If you’re worried about the risk of heading to the beach in either Texas or Florida, talk to your doctor about your health concerns immediately.
What are your thoughts? Let us know in the comments!
Photo Copyright © 2014 Melissa Hillier/Flickr
