The Florida Department of Health issued a health advisory after detecting dangerous levels of Enterococcus bacteria at two high-traffic beaches in Miami-Dade County.
The affected areas are Crandon Park North, near Key Biscayne, and South Point Drive Beach, at the southern end of Miami Beach.
Contact with water is prohibited.
In an official statement, authorities urged residents and tourists to avoid swimming, water sports, or direct contact with the water in these areas.
The measure is in response to laboratory tests conducted on September 23, which revealed more than 70 Enterococcus colonies per 100 milliliters of water, exceeding the permitted limit.
According to the protocol, the alert is triggered when two consecutive tests show levels above the safety threshold.
What is Enterococcus?
Enterococcus is a bacterium that forms part of the intestinal flora of humans and animals. Its presence on beaches indicates fecal contamination, whether from sewage, rain, wild animals, or pets.
When present in high concentrations, it can cause health problems such as gastrointestinal infections, skin rashes, urinary tract infections, and diseases in people with weak immune systems.
The risk is higher for young children, older adults, people with cuts on their skin, and those with weakened immune systems.
How water quality is measured
Quality is classified according to the number of Enterococcus colonies in 100 milliliters of water:
- Good: 0 to 35 colonies
- Moderate: 36 to 70 colonies
- Bad: 71 colonies or more
In Crandon Park North and South Point Drive Beach, the results exceeded 70 colonies, placing them in the "poor" category and justifying the alert.
Next steps
The Department of Health will continue monitoring beaches. Only if further testing confirms a decrease in the bacteria will the "no swimming" advisory be lifted.
Meanwhile, authorities recommend that the public respect the measure and avoid water activities in these areas, which are very popular due to their proximity to urban areas and their natural beauty.