You have probably seen the WSB-TV story trending on Facebook that says “No swim advisory issued for some Florida panhandle beaches.” Here is clarification from the Florida Department of Health:

The Florida Department of Health in Okaloosa County (DOH-Okaloosa) has not issued “no swim advisories” for any the beaches in Okaloosa County. DOH-Okaloosa has issued health advisories at specific beaches due to elevated sample levels of a bacteria called enterococci. Enterococci is not flesh eating bacteria. It is bacteria that normally inhabits the intestinal tract of humans and animals. It may cause human disease, infections, or rashes, but for the vast majority of people, the risk of serious illness is minimal. An otherwise healthy person may have no problems with contact with the water of a beach that is under advisory. Some may experience a minor inflammation of a cut, a mild sore throat or mild diarrhea after exposure to water from a beach under a health advisory. The greatest risk is for very young children, the elderly and people who have compromised immune systems since their ability to fight off infection is limited by age or disease. It is important to understand that a “health advisory” is not the same as a “no swim advisory.”

The national media is calling Vibrio vulnificus a “flesh eating bacteria.” That is incorrect. Vibrio vulnificus is naturally occurring along U.S. coastlines and infections from this bacteria is rare. We have not had a confirmed case of a Vibrio vulnificus infection in Okaloosa County this year.

Click here for OKALOOSA COUNTY SALTWATER BEACH MONITORING RESULTS FOR JUNE 27, 2016.