Health advisory issued for Hillsborough beach

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) – Officials issued a health advisory Wednesday for a Hillsborough County beach.

The Hillsborough County Health Department said the advisory for E.G. Simmons Park Beach is “based on the criteria for enterococci bacteria recommended by the EPA.”

“This should be considered a potential risk to the bathing public,” officials said.

The samples were taken Monday. The will be tested again on Monday, Sept. 19.

Enterococci “normally inhabit the intestinal tract of humans and animals, which may cause human disease, infections, or rashes. The presence of enteric bacteria is an indication of fecal pollution, which may come from storm water runoff, pets and wildlife, and human sewage. The purpose of the Healthy Beaches Monitoring Program is to determine whether Florida has significant coastal beach water quality problems,” officials said.