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Hernando Today

Bacteria Counts Rise At Pine Island

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By HERNANDO TODAY STAFF

The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 27, 2008

PINE ISLAND - Bacteria counts are back up again in the waters at Pine Island's Alfred McKethan Park, prompting officials to advise against swimming there.

Test results Thursday showed high levels of bacteria, according to a notice from the Hernando County Health Department. A high bacteria count indicates the presence of fecal matter
The bacteria-laden water can cause ear and throat infections. Swimmers who ingest the water are at risk for gastrointestinal illness, with symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. The very young, the elderly and others with weak immune systems are at higher risk of serious health problems.

It is the first time since April that high bacteria counts have forced officials to post a swimming advisory at the park, 10800 Pine Island Drive. High counts in February were the first such results in more than 18 months.

The bacteria levels remained high for two months, prompting Parks and Recreation Director Pat Fagan to recommend DNA tests to determine whether the bacteria could be coming from human or animal fecal matter. That would help rule out the possibility that the bacteria is coming from leaky septic tanks in the area. Another theory blames the island's abundance of birds and their plentiful droppings.

The bacteria counts then dropped again to levels so low that DNA tests would likely have been ineffective, Gray said at the time. Officials decided to hold off on the tests until the levels climbed again.

Fagan was out of the office Friday and couldn't be reached for comment.

For more information, call Albert C. Gray, environmental manager at the Hernando County Health Department, at 540-6802.

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