Latest news with #bacteria
Yahoo
a day ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
High bacteria levels prompt closures for these Mass. beaches
Due to high levels of bacteria in these bodies of water, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) has closed them for the time being. In total, four beaches are closed, three of which are located in Boston and one in Concord, according to the DPH. The purpose of Concord's Walden Pond closure is to accommodate facility repair work, according to the DPH, which noted that Red Cross Beach will remain open, weather permitting. Once the project is complete, the beach will reopen. Constitution, Malibu, and Tenean beaches in Boston, however, are closed with the reasoning being 'bacteria excess.' Bacteria in the water can come from a variety of sources, including: Stormwater (rain) run-off Failing or malfunctioning septic systems Combined and sanitary sewer overflows Leaking sewer pipes Illegal sewer hookups Wildlife and pet waste Agricultural runoff In order to ensure beaches are safe for swimming, the DPH tests the waters anywhere from daily to monthly, depending on how likely the beach is to have water quality issues and its popularity. If a beach is used often or is prone to water quality issues, then it's tested more often and vice versa, the DPH wrote. Beaches remain closed until laboratory analysis shows bacteria levels are within the acceptable range for safe swimming. 'Laboratory analysis for all beach samples takes approximately 24 hours,' according to the department's website. 'So it is common for a beach closure to last a day or two following an exceedance.' Swimming in beach water that has high levels of bacteria can be risky and can result in illnesses, including: Gastrointestinal symptoms- nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain Respiratory symptoms- sore throat, cough, runny nose and sneezing Dermatological symptoms- skin rash and itching Eye and ear symptoms- irritation, earache, itching Flu-like symptoms- fever and chills Therefore, it's important to check for any warnings or beach closures indicating that the water could be unsafe. To do this, done check the weather, avoid swimming after heavy rain, watch for signs of water pollution like discolored, fast flowing and strong smelling water, do not swim near trash or litter floating in the water, avoid swallowing the water and swim in areas designated as 'swim beaches.' Although a beach could be posted, the public can still visit the location and take part in other activities that don't involve contact with the water. This can include anything from playing sports like volleyball or frisbee to sunbathing or collecting seashells or sea glass, the DPH said. The public can also do its part in helping to reduce contamination and pollution at the beach by: Cleaning up after pets Not feeding the birds as it encourages them to hang around the beaches, which increases fecal matter Using public restrooms Picking up and throwing away trash using public restrooms or properly disposing of it at home Not entering the water when sick or feeling unwell Changing diapers and putting plastic or rubber pants, known as swim diapers, on diapered children before they enter the water Not dumping anything down storm drains, as water moving through these drains does not get treated at a wastewater facility and flows directly into lakes and streams Avoiding the use of fertilizers and pesticides in yards since these chemicals can easily carry into the surface of waters during rain events and snowmelt Use walkways and avoid walking on dunes to prevent erosion and preserve vegetation that filters out pollutants from runoff before they reach the beach More details from the DPH can be found here. Street flooding possible in Mass. Saturday due to widespread showers, thunderstorms Pentagon boss Hegseth warns of 'devastating' consequences if China looks to 'conquer' Taiwan RFK Jr. slammed raw milk shots with podcast host in the White House Major Trump foe says Republicans keep approaching her with shocking message 'Turning a blind eye to genocide': Mass. Rep. Neal's visit to Ireland protested Read the original article on MassLive.
The Sun
4 days ago
- Health
- The Sun
Passengers should never wash their hands in airplane toilets, experts warn – it can make them dangerously more dirty
WASHING your hands on a plane might sound like a smart hygiene move, but experts say it could leave you dirtier. The warning comes from flight attendants and health researchers who say the water in airplane bathrooms is not as clean as some people might think. 2 2 Most airplane water tanks aren't cleaned often, and bacteria can easily spread, especially mid-air. A 2017 study published in the Annals of Microbiology found more than 50 different strains of bacteria in ice samples used on planes. "A consistent percentage of the microorganisms identified from ice are known agents of human infections," researchers wrote. "My takeaway from doing the research was to not drink the coffee and the tea. At all," Charles Platkin, who led the study, told Travel + Leisure. "I don't wash my hands either. I have wipes that I use," Platkin said. Even if toilets are cleaned regularly, "the locks and door handles are not," warned flight attendant and travel blogger Josephine Remo. Shanina Knighton, a research associate professor at Case Western Reserve University, said she avoids the airplane bathroom when she can. "I'm mindful of surfaces, especially the latch on the bathroom door, which everyone uses to open the door, even if they haven't washed their hands," she said. Contaminated airplane water can "wreck your vacation before you even arrive," Knighton said. "I wouldn't want to start a vacation with a stomach bug because of unsafe water exposure," she added. I save £100s with 'secret' airport hack that lets me sneak extra bag on plane - it's completely legal & costs just £1.55 Instead of using the tap, Remo suggests using hand sanitizer after touching luggage, tray tables, or anything in the seat pocket. She added that passengers should wash their hands properly once they land. A former flight attendant speaking to Sanctuary Bathrooms described the loo as "essentially a cupboard, with no clean air." "There is no window and the air ventilation is poor," she said. "You could also be breathing in potential faeces particles, circulating the air after a toilet flush," said Knighton. She also warned against brushing your teeth onboard, since the water is often unfiltered and comes from the same tanks. "Use bottled water but my main piece of advice would be, do not take your toothbrush or wash bag anywhere near an airplane loo," she said. Passengers were urged to hover over the seat instead of sitting on it and, in general, to keep their shoes on while on the plane. KEEP SHOES AND STOCKINGS ON "Due to the high chance of unbalance and people missing the toilet bowl, there could be urine on the floor," Knighton said. "If you carried this from your sock into your shoe and back into your home – that would be incredibly unhygienic." She also urged travelers to shower as soon as they land. Knighton said she always used to hop in the shower immediately after returning home from work. "As soon as you arrive at your destination, put your clothes in the wash and have a good scrub," she said. "I always used to shower straight after work and sometimes the water would turn brown."
Washington Post
4 days ago
- Health
- Washington Post
Double-dipping may seem gross, but it's not as risky as you think
Is it true that double-dipping can spread germs? Like George Costanza on 'Seinfield,' many of us have done it — dip a chip into a communal bowl of salsa or stick a veggie into the hummus, bite it and then go for a double-dip. Yes, double-dipping can transmit bacteria and viruses from your mouth to the shared bowl. And yes, in theory, those microorganisms can be spread to other eaters. But in most cases, that might not be as risky as it seems. Researchers at Clemson University discovered that there were more bacteria in double-dipped situations compared with the single-dipped. In a series of experiments, the team analyzed how many bacteria were transferred from a bitten cracker into a cup of sterile water compared with an unbitten cracker. They found that if someone had taken a bite before dipping, the water contained significantly more bacteria. Additionally, the researchers reported that the type of food mattered. After double-dipping, salsa, which has a high acidity, had lower levels of bacteria two hours later than dishes made with cheese and chocolate, which have a low acidity. While people may be introducing bacteria or viruses into the communal bowl, it does not mean these organisms are the type that can make you sick, said Benjamin Chapman, department head of agricultural and human sciences at North Carolina State University. Pathogens that cause the common cold, influenza and covid, for instance, have not been shown to be transmitted through food, Chapman said. Respiratory illnesses such as these are much more commonly spread by coughing and sneezing around people at a party than by eating or drinking after them, he said. One strong exception is norovirus. Research shows that the virus — which causes the notoriously unpleasant 'stomach bug' linked to outbreaks on cruise ships and in other places with close quarters — can be spread through direct contact such as hand-shaking, through contaminated food and water, through aerosols, and, most important to this conversation about double-dipping, through saliva. 'If you are recovering from norovirus, double-dipping would be really risky' for other eaters, Chapman said. But because 'people infected with norovirus get sick very promptly, they're unlikely to spend a whole lot of time during the very brief incubation period sharing a dip with someone else,' said William Schaffner, a professor of infectious diseases and preventive medicine at Vanderbilt University. There is no real evidence showing that double-dipping can cause foodborne illness outbreaks, though experts said double-dipping often happens in small groups that may not be tracked. The double-dipping controversy may be more about social etiquette. 'The presumption is, 'We don't want to make people sick,' but really it's more the 'ick' factor than it is the risk of passing a foodborne illness,' said Keith Schneider, a professor in the food science and human nutrition department at the University of Florida. But here are some best practices, experts said: While double-dipping can spread bacteria and viruses, in most cases, it is unlikely to make you sick, experts said.
BBC News
5 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Emergency bug-zapper installed near Waters Upton boreholes
Ultraviolet (UV) equipment to kill bacteria was installed in Shropshire without planning permission, after potentially harmful microbes were found in a documents lodged with Telford and Wrekin Council said Severn Trent Water acted on an emergency basis as a precaution to install the site in Waters Upton had permission for two more boreholes to be dug, but while awaiting licensing, non-coliform bacteria was found at the only operational borehole on site - called number three.A spokesperson for Severn Trent said its teams had now applied for permission to install the UV system, which was a routine step to maintain water quality. "In March 2023, borehole testing revealed low-level non-coliform detections within borehole number three," said a planning document lodged with the authority on behalf of Severn Trent said further tests were undertaken and detections continued at Woodfield Borehole Pumping Station, before largely disappearing in 2024. However in July 2024, confirmed coliforms were seen again."As the site only has marginal treatment, borehole three was taken out of supply in July 2024 as a precaution," it document said public health advice had confirmed that the water source could not return to supply without finding or fixing the source of the detections, or installing treatment."The proposed UV kiosk is required to allow borehole number three to be brought into supply before boreholes four and five are ready," the documents to the UV kiosk exceeding 29 cubic metres of capacity, it would not be covered by development rights, and the company applied for retrospective planning permission. Follow BBC Shropshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Daily Mail
7 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Experts issue urgent warning to Memorial Day vacationers over deadly flesh-eating bacteria overrunning beaches
While sharks and jellyfish stings may be what most people are afraid of when swimming in the ocean, public health officials warn of a deadlier threat at the beach. Lurking in warm, coastal waters is the flesh-eating vibrio vulnificus. This deadly bacteria can enter the body through the smallest - sometimes even imperceptible - opening from a cut or scrape. After finding a way in, it enters the bloodstream, and release enzymes and toxins that break down proteins, fats, and collagen, destroying skin and muscle tissue. It evades the immune system's defenses while triggering a widespread inflammatory response that causes even more tissue damage. Reduced blood flow to the infected area worsens this damage, ultimately leading to the death of tissue beneath the skin. This results in amputations to try and cut away the infection or - in severe cases - death. Vibrio requires warm water to grow and proliferate, making Gulf Coast beaches prime breeding grounds. But colder regions are becoming gradually more hospitable as ocean temperatures rise, attracting and nurturing colonies of the bacteria. Vibrio infections have been confirmed on the East coast, Alaska, the Baltic Sea, and Chile, which scientists now believe could be the next hotspots. The CDC has not issued an annual report on vibrio in the US since 2019, when 2,685 infections were reported. A sweeping review of CDC data on East Coast states from 1988 through 2018 showed vibrio wound infections increased eightfold, from about 10 cases to more than 80 annually. Florida reported 83 Vibrio vulnificus cases and 18 deaths in 2024 — surpassing previous records of 74 cases (17 deaths) in 2022 and 46 cases (11 deaths) in 2023. Vibrio vulnificus can also infect a person who eats raw or undercooked shellfish, causing painful abdominal cramps and diarrhea, and, in cases where the bacteria enters the bloodstream, sepsis and death. The CDC estimates that 80,000 Americans are infected with vibrio every year, although there are only 1,200 to 2,000 confirmed cases annually as it is often misdiagnosed Vibriosis, the infection caused by the bacteria, is typically treated with antibiotics, specifically, doxycycline and ceftazidime. Once the the bacteria reaches the bloodstream, the infection is fatal about 50 percent of the time. The threat from the insidious bacteria is only growing, scientists say. Sky-high seafood consumption around the world, using coastal waters for recreational activities, and the compounding effects of global climate change are setting humans up to see a marked increase in both reported cases and fatalities in the near future,' according to scientists from the UK and Spain. The vast majority of vibrio infections have occurred in Florida, tied to post-hurricane flooding, and Texas, largely due to fishing and oyster harvesting injuries, as well as Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana. Gulf Coast (highest risk) Florida has the most reported cases of vibrio infections, with outbreaks concentrated at Siesta Key and Lido Beach in Sarasota. Health officials recorded multiple wound infections from 2023 to 2024, including necrotizing fasciitis in swimmers with cuts. In 2024, the state recorded 82 cases and 19 deaths. In Tampa Bay at Ben T. Davis Beach and Cypress Point Park, at least five wound infections from 2022 to 2023 were confirmed, most often in fishermen. The Florida Panhandle (Destin, Panama City Beach) saw about eight cases post-Hurricane Idalia in 2023, mostly from floodwater exposure. In Fort Myers at Lynn Hall Memorial Park, there were more than 10 cases post-Hurricane Ian in 2022, including severe wound infections from contaminated storm surges. Texas saw clusters in Galveston (Stewart Beach, East Beach), with at least six wound infections in 2023 from swimming with cuts and three fatal cases linked to oyster consumption. At Rockport Beach and Corpus Christi five infections were reported in 2023, including among oyster harvesters with hand injuries. Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana reported fewer but still notable cases. This graph shows Vibrio infections reported in the United States. It reveals that Vibrio vulnificus — the large grey dashed line — has seen cases gradually rise Gulf Shores and Dauphin Island in Alabama had at least four wound infections from 2021 to 2023, often in crabbers. In Mississippi, Biloxi and Gulfport recorded three cases in 2022, mostly post-flooding. Grand Isle, Louisiana saw three infections in 2023, linked to cuts while handling seafood. Randy Bunch, a 66-year-old seasoned fisherman from Freeport, Texas, died on June 8 after contracting a deadly Vibrio infection from a small scrape on his foot while crabbing in shallow Gulf waters. His daughter, Brandy Pendergraft, said he had worn flip-flops instead of his usual protective wading boots. Within hours, Bunch developed severe pain, a 104°F fever, and confusion. Doctors initially couldn't identify the issue, but the infection—marked by bruising and blisters—rapidly worsened. He was placed on a ventilator but died within days. North Carolina experienced outbreaks at Wrightsville Beach and Carolina Beach, with at least seven wound infections from 2022 to 2023, including surfers with scrapes. South Carolina saw over five infections from 2021 to 2023 in Myrtle Beach marshes and Folly Beach, primarily from wading with cuts. Days after walking barefoot on the beach, the health-conscious man was in excruciating pain and said his foot (pictured) became swollen and he could no longer walk Nearby last year, Brent Norman was strolling along the shores of Sullivan's Island and the Isle of Palms near Charleston, when he stepped on a shell that caused a cut in his foot. Within days, his foot swelled severely, causing excruciating pain, which doctors attributed to vibriosis, the infection caused by the bacteria. From Virginia to New Jersey, scattered cases included around four infections around the Chesapeake Bay in Virginia in 2023 mostly in crab fishermen; at least two wound infections in 2022 at Maryland's Assateague Island and Ocean City bayside; and one confirmed case in New Jersey's Barnegat Bay from a boating injury in 2023. California reported a single case of Vibrio from a wound in San Diego Bay in a sailor with a blister in 2022. Hawaii saw isolated cases from 2021 to 2023 in Keehi Lagoon (Oahu), linked to brackish water exposure. While the flesh-rotting complication is more common when the bacteria enters the body through a wound, necrotizing fasciitis can occur when a person consumes the bacteria as well. Laura Barajas, a 40-year-old mother from San Jose, underwent quadruple amputation after contracting a severe Vibrio vulnificus infection from undercooked tilapia she prepared at home in July. The bacteria — which the CDC warns can cause life-threatening sepsis — left her in a medically induced coma with failing kidneys and necrotic limbs. Barajas, who has a six-year-old son, survived but faces a lifelong disability. Her friend Anna Messina shared that Barajas' 'fingers were black, her feet were black her bottom lip was black' and her kidneys were failing as the infection ravaged her body.
