The Department of Health and Environmental Control has issued new swimming advisories for three sections of beach in North Myrtle Beach.
A press release from DHEC says 16th Avenue North, 3rd Avenue North, and 17th Avenue South are now under swimming advisories due to high levels of the Enterococci bacteria.
According to the release, this bacteria “is common to the guts of warm-blooded animals and are considered an indicator of the potential presence of other organisms which may cause diseases in humans.” People swimming in water with high levels of the bacteria have an increased risk of developing gastrointestinal illness or skin infections.
The advisory is not a beach closing and it only affects the small portions of the beach listed, the release also says. “Short-term advisories typically last only a few days and are lifted once follow-up sampling shows bacteria levels decrease to levels below the standards.”
DHEC says it is safe to wade, collect shells, and fish in the areas under advisories. People with open cuts or other wounds should avoid contact with the water.
Water sampling results can be seen online on DHEC’s website.
For more information about the advisories and water sampling, contact the Myrtle Beach DHEC office at 843-238-4378.