A section of the Outer Banks had to post an advisory against swimming at a sound-side site in Dare County because of bacteria levels, according to a news release from the state’s Division of Environmental Health. The advisory is posted at a Southern Shores access off North Dogwood Trail. This swimming advisory is in effect for the water within 200 feet of the posted sign.
This advisory should be taken very serious. People that would risk swimming or playing in waters with bacteria levels higher than recommended have an increased risk of developing gastrointestinal illness or skin infections.
It should be noted that bacteria levels in the water exceeded the state and Environmental Protection Agency’s recreational water quality standards in a test sample taken Monday. NC officials are testing the site again today and will remove the sign and notify the public when the bacteria levels decrease to levels below the standards.
Environmental health authorities have sampled at least 240 sites throughout the coastal region, most of the time on a weekly basis, from April to October. Water testing will continue on a reduced schedule during the rest of the year when the waters are colder.
Coliform or other bacteria in drinking or swimming water will not necessarily make you ill. However, since these organisms are present, other disease-causing organisms may also be present. Health symptoms related to drinking or swallowing water contaminated with bacteria generally range from no ill effects to cramps and diarrhea (gastrointestinal distress).
Two common waterborne diseases are guardianship and cryptosporidiosis; both cause intestinal illness. E. coli 0157:H7 has also been associated with drinking contaminated water and can cause intestinal illness. In very rare cases, it can cause hemolytic uremic syndrome, a serious kidney condition.
Shapiro, Cooper Lewis & Appleton personal injury law firm is based in Virginia (VA), with an office also in Elizabeth City, in Northeast North Carolina (NC), practicing primarily in the southeastern U.S. and handles only injury law, including car, truck, railroad, and medical negligence cases and more. Our Carolina injur law website is: http://carolina.hsinjurylaw.com, the firm edits the injury law blogs Virginia Beach Injuryboard, Norfolk Injuryboard, as well as the Northeast North Carolina Injuryboard and also hosts a YouTube injury law video library covering many FAQ’s on personal injury subjects. Lawyers licensed in: VA, NC, SC, WV, DC, KY.
