E. Coli Found in Park Point Beach

Advisory Issued for Beach with E. Coli

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The Minnesota Department of Health started testing beaches in Duluth the first week of June.

They tell FOX 21 the amount of E. coli found in the water was not off the charts but enough to potentially make someone sick so they’re asking people to stay out of the water.

“They should not go in the water at Sky Harbor where the advisory is,” Minnesota Department of Health beach program coordinator Cynthia Hakala said.

E. coli was detected in a scoop of 100 millimeters of water from the Sky Harbor Parking Lot Beach on Park Point.

The Minnesota Department of Health tells FOX 21 they are unsure about the source of the bacteria but it’s likely caused by the fecal contamination left behind by geese.

E. coli is carried in the digestive tract of any warm blooded animal including humans.

“I’d just like to remind people what they do on the land has consequences for the water they swim in,” said Hakala. “So if we can just clean up after ourselves and our dogs and our children the water will stay cleaner and don’t feed the geese please.”

Diarrhea, abdominal cramping, vomiting and fever are all symptoms of E. coli.

It’s recommend to call the Minnesota Department of Health at 1-877-366-3455 if you experience any of these.

Testing for E. coli on the busiest beaches will be done twice a week.

Health officials also ask that people wait 24 to 48 hours after a rainstorm before they swim in a beach because rain water can wash garbage and feces down into beaches.

For advisories head over to http://www.mnbeaches.org/