Water Testing Leads To Swim Advisory For Daytona's Main Street Area

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Daytona Beach, FL - If you're heading to the beach this Memorial Day weekend, you might want to avoid the Main Street area of Daytona Beach.

A swim advisory is now in effect for that part of the beach until at least the Wednesday after Memorial Day, according to the Florida Department of Health in Volusia County.

Spokesperson Holly Smith says signs like the one posted above this article are currently in place in all the affected areas.

"The advisory is a result of recent water sampling conducted as part of the of the Healthy Beaches Program," Smith added. "This is a precautionary advisory and not a closure. The advisory is only for the area around this site."

According to a release by FDOH-VC, swimmers who go into the ocean in that area this holiday weekend are at increased risk of getting an infectious disease based on Environmental Protection Agency criteria. That's why swimming in the water around Main Street is not recommended at this time, according to Smith.

"Water samples are analyzed for enterococci bacteria," Smith noted. "Enterococci bacteria can be found in the intestinal tract of humans and other animals. Associated bacteria can cause gastrointestinal illness, upper respiratory infections, or skin infections if open wounds or sores exist."

Health officials plan to take more water samples on Memorial Day and may lift the advisory as soon as Wednesday, depending on the results.

The Healthy Beaches Program watches over ocean water qualify at 13 different locations in Volusia County.

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