TRENTON, N.J. (KYW Newsradio) — The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection has issued swimming advisories for nearly a dozen beaches in the state due to high levels of bacteria.
The beaches are in Monmouth, Ocean, Atlantic, and Cape May counties, and include the New Jersey Avenue Beach in Somers Point, and Ocean Avenue and Brooklyn Beaches in Cape May.
The water samples collected contained enterococcus, a bacteria commonly found in the feces of both humans and animals. The amounts found exceeded state guidelines.
Health officials said swimmers could experience stomach issues, skin irritations, ear aches or flu-like symptoms. The symptoms are minor most of the time, but can occasionally be more serious, especially in at-risk populations, such as in children and the elderly.
They also said people should not swim with open sores and see a doctor if a cut does become infected after water exposure.
The beaches will remain open while resamples are being collected.
More information about the advisories can be found at njbeaches.org.