Dozens of popular beaches across six states have issued urgent do-not-visit warnings ahead of July 4th weekend, as dangerously high levels of bacteria in the water threaten serious health risks.
The Automobile Association of America (AAA) projected that a record 72.2 million Americans will travel over 50 miles for Independence Day – a 2.4 percent increase from last year, with road trips and flights reaching new highs.
However, ahead of one of the year’s busiest travel weeks, officials have banned swimming at 43 beaches across Illinois, New York, Massachusetts, Washington, Michigan and California, as reported by USA Today.
The closures are due to elevated bacteria levels in the water – particularly the presence of Vibrio.
Vibrio are bacteria that naturally inhabit certain coastal waters, including saltwater and brackish water – a mix of salt and freshwater often found where rivers meet the sea, according to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
About a dozen types of Vibrio bacteria cause vibriosis, which causes diarrhea, abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, fever, and chills. If the bacteria enters open wounds, it can cause flesh to rot.
The infection – which affects around 80,000 Americans each year – can also spread through eating contaminated or undercooked shellfish, especially oysters.
Ahead of the holiday weekend, the CDC warns that Vibrio infections can cause a range of symptoms, including diarrhea, stomach cramps, vomiting, fever, blistering skin lesions, dangerously low blood pressure, and swelling.
Health officials have closed dozens of beaches to swimmers across Illinois, New York, Massachusetts, Washington, Michigan and California ahead of July 4th weekend
The closures are due to elevated bacteria levels in the water – particularly the presence of Vibrio (pictured) – which can enter the bloodstream through open wounds when swimming in coastal waters and lead to serious or even life-threatening symptoms
Now, dangerously high levels of the bacteria have prompted dozens of beach closures and advisories across the country:
Long Island, New York
On Long Island, New York, health officials began restricting swimming at five beaches on June 25 – including Benjamin Memorial Beach in Bay Shore (pictured)
On Long Island, New York, health officials began restricting swimming at five beaches in Nassau and Suffolk counties on June 25.
Swimming at these beaches is restricted until testing confirms the water is safe again.
The beaches include:
- Benjamin Beach in Bayshore
- Ronkonkoma Beach in the Town of Islip
- Sayville Marina Park Beach in Sayville
- Morgan Beach in Glen Cove
- Biltmore Beach Club in Massapequa
Washington
Over the weekend, the King County’s Public Health Department warned the public that at least five beaches in the Seattle area have been closed – including Houghton Beach in Kirkland (pictured)
Over the weekend, the King County’s Public Health Department warned the public that at least five beaches in the Seattle area have been closed.
Most closures were due to high bacteria levels, though one beach – West Green Lake Beach – shut down because of toxic algae.
The beaches include:
- Houghton Beach in Kirkland
- Madison Park Beach in Seattle
- Madrona Beach in Seattle
- Matthews Beach in Seattle
- Mount Baker Park Beach in Seattle
- West Green Lake Beach in Seattle
Illinois
Last week, the Illinois Department of Public Health ordered multiple beach closures along Chicago’s northern suburbs due to elevated bacteria levels – including Waukegan North Beach in Lake County (pictured)
Last week, the Illinois Department of Public Health ordered multiple beach closures along Chicago’s northern suburbs due to elevated bacteria levels.
The beaches include:
- North Point Marina Beach in Winthrop Harbor
- Waukegan North Beach in Waukegan
- Main Beach in Crystal Lake
- Butch Hagele Beach in Lake in the Hills
- Indian Trail Beach in Lake in the Hills
Michigan
In Michigan, multiple beaches are under strict contamination advisories, warning of unsafe conditions for swimmers – including Dodge Park #4 in Oakland County (pictured)
In Michigan, multiple beaches are under strict contamination advisories, warning of unsafe conditions for swimmers.
The beaches include:
- Dodge Park #4 in Waterford Township
- Thelma Spencer Park in Rochester Hills
- Dumont Lake Park Beach in Allegan
- St. Clair Shores Memorial Park Beach in St. Clair Shores
- Sunset Park in Petoskey
California
Though no closures have been issued in California so far, six beaches in San Diego County were placed under water advisories on June 27 – including Coronado Beach (pictured)
As of June 27, six beaches in San Diego County were placed under water contact advisories due to elevated bacteria levels.
However, no closures have been issued so far, as the severity remains low, according to the County’s Department of Environmental Health and Quality.
The beaches include:
- Coronado Beach in Coronado
- Ocean Beach in San Diego
- Mission Bay in San Diego
- La Jolla in San Diego
- Del Mar in Del Mar
- Cardiff State Beach in Cardiff-by-the-Sea
Massachusetts
A staggering 19 beaches have been closed to the public across Massachusetts due to ‘bacterial exceedance’ – including Pomps Pond in Andover (pictured)
A staggering 19 beaches have been closed to the public across Massachusetts, according to the state’s Department of Public Health, citing ‘bacterial exceedance’ that poses a risk of illness.
The beaches include:
- Pomps Pond in Andover
- Damon Pond Beach in Ashby
- Upper Mill Pond in Brewster
- Walden Pond in Concord
- Sandy Beach in Danvers
- Kings in Lynn
- Magnolia in Manchester
- Tuck’s Point in Manchester
- Henry F Collins Beach in Marlborough
- Cochituate State Park Beach in Natick
- Long Beach in Rockport
- Children’s Island (Back and Walley) in Salem
- Ocean Avenue in Salem
- Peckham Pond at Camp Nihan in Saugus
- Beamans Pond (Campground and Day Use) in Templeton
- Seth’s Pond in West Tisbury
- Shannon Beach at Upper Mystic in Winchester