Health advisory: Don't swim near Naples Pier until more tests done

The Florida Department of Health in Collier County has posted a health advisory at the beach near the Naples Pier after recent sampling showed high bacteria levels.

The sampling showed bacteria levels in the water to be greater than 71 colonies per 100 milliliters of marine water, putting the beach in the poor range, a news release states. 

This is the first health advisory given out for a beach in Collier County in the past 10 years, said Andrea McKinney, public information officer at the Collier County Health Department.

"We're anticipating that the advisory will only be up for a short time," said McKinney. "Our beaches are generally healthy."

All 12 Collier County beaches are tested every Monday. After receiving poor results during the most recent test, the water quality at the Naples Pier will be tested every day until the water quality improves enough for the health advisory to be lifted, McKinney said.

The staff collected and tested 12 points from Marco Island to Barefoot Beach for Enterococci bacteria. No other warnings have been given out for other beaches in Collier County. 

"We don't expect they'll be impacted by these level," McKinney said. "All other beaches in Collier County are safe to swim."

Children and those with compromised immune systems are advised to avoid the Naples Pier beach until further notice.

"We are not closing down the beach at the Naples Pier, but we are advising people not to swim" there, McKinney said. 

According to the news release, causes of the elevated level that prompted the advisory are unknown but could be associated with wildlife, heavy recreational use, runoff after heavy rains and high surf from strong winds and high tides.

Beachgoers near the Pier are encouraged to rinse with fresh water after swimming, avoid swallowing water while swimming and cover any open cuts, scraps or wounds.

Ingesting water contaminated with this type of bacteria might cause digestive issues. Bacteria entering the skin through open cuts might cause infections and rashes, McKinney said.