Swimming advisory issued for North Beach on Jekyll Island

GLYNN COUNTY, Ga. — The Glynn County Health Department has issued a swimming advisory for North Beach on Jekyll Island, which officials say runs from Tallu Fish Lane to Brice Lane.

The Health Department is recommending beachgoers do not swim in the water while it is under advisory. Additionally, fish and other seafood caught should be washed with fresh water and thoroughly cooked before eating.

The Georgia Department of Public Health has shared answers for some of their most frequently asked questions below:

Is the beach closed?

No, the beach is not closed. An advisory simply means that increased levels of bacteria were found in the water, not on the beach, which is why public health suggests no swimming or wading in the water (risk of illness comes from contact with the water).

Does the advisory cover the entire island?

No. An advisory only covers a certain area. Even if part of the beach is under advisory there are plenty of other beach access points to areas that aren’t under advisory.

Why is the water tested and what is it tested for?

The water is tested as part of the Environmental Protection Agency’s beach monitoring program which includes all Georgia beaches. Water samples are taken all along the island and tested for enterococcus (pronounced: en·ter·o·coc·cus) bacteria which is found in warm blooded animals including humans but also birds, raccoons, deer, dolphins and other wildlife.

Will I get sick if I go into water that is under advisory?

There is no way to say for sure whether or not you will get sick if you go into water that is under advisory but you will be at an increased risk of illness. Risk of illness comes from contacting beach water in several ways including ingesting water while swimming, getting water in the nose, eyes, and ears or getting water in an open wound. Some examples of possible illness include possible stomach upset, ear infection, sore throat, or wound infection.

Can I eat fish I’ve caught from a beach that’s under advisory?

Yes, fish and other seafood caught in area(s) should be thoroughly washed with fresh water and thoroughly cooked before eating as should fish or seafood caught from any waters.

How long do areas stay under advisory?

When an advisory is issued, another sample of the water in the area under advisory is taken within a few days and retested. An area will stay under advisory until the test shows that bacteria in the water have decreased to an acceptable level as determined by the Environmental Protection Agency.

To see the latest beach water advisories or to sign up to receive notifications when an area goes under advisory you can go www.GaHealthyBeaches.org.

You can also go to www.gachd.org and click on the Environmental Health tab at the top of the page for more information on beach water testing.

Cox Media Group