Five Beaches on Oregon Coast Under Health Advisories, Mostly South
Published 09/22/2019 at 3:33 AM PDT
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection staff
(Bandon, Oregon) – Five beaches on the Oregon coast are now under health advisories, with four new ones this week. The advisory to not go in the water at D River in Lincoln City is still in effect, while new alerts were issued for Newport’s Nye Beach, and three for the south coast: Mill Beach, Hubbard Creek Beach and Sunset Bay State Park, most in Curry County. All the warning are because of higher-than-normal fecal bacteria found in the ocean waters where testing is done.
The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) said the public should stay out of the water at these beaches – and these beaches only. No other beaches are under advisories.
“Higher-than-normal levels of fecal bacteria can cause diarrhea, stomach cramps, skin rashes, upper respiratory infections and other illnesses,” the OHA said. “This applies especially to children and the elderly, who may be more vulnerable to illness from waterborne bacteria.”
You should also avoid wading in creeks or pools of water on these beaches, and any discolored water. Keep clear of water runoff flowing into the ocean.
Even if there is no warning, the OHA said you should avoid swimming in the ocean within 48 hours after a rainstorm.
Exactly what source causes the bacteria is usually not known, but it can come from inland or just offshore, including stormwater runoff, sewer overflows, failing septic systems, and animal waste from livestock, pets and wildlife.
Testing is done every day to determine if levels are safe. These restrictions normally only last a few days.
The status of water contact advisories at beaches is subject to change. For the most recent information on advisories, visit the Oregon Beach Monitoring Program website at http://www.healthoregon.org/beach or call 971-673-0482, or 877-290-6767 (toll-free).
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