COCOA BEACH, Fla. — There is another warning Friday at one of the most popular places in Central Florida for families to go to the beach. The health department posted bacteria warning signs at the Cocoa Beach pier for the second time in the past two weeks.
However, many people swimming in the water Friday didn't know there was a problem.
All seemed perfectly normal at the Cocoa Beach pier Friday, kids playing in the water, surfers riding the waves and hundreds of tourist with no idea anything might be wrong.
The problem is that no one has seen the tiny warning signs on the giant beach. Even the life guard said he knew nothing about it.
WFTV asked several people whether they saw the warning signs that were posted, and they all said they did not.
WFTV asked the health department to comment on the problem, but they didn't return any calls. However, their reported explanation is that birds or people are contaminating the water.
People and birds could cause high levels of the bacteria called enterococcus, which is a form of strep that can cause symptoms ranging from urinary tract infections to meningitis.
The Cocoa Beach pier area has had repeated problems with the bacteria.
"Would you want to know if there was a bacteria problem here?" WFTV reporter Steve Barrett asked.
"Oh yes, of course, like everybody you know," a beachgoer said. "Yeah, I actually have a little girl here who recently had an incision that I probably shouldn't have her in the water."
The small signs will stay up until the health department determines the levels of bacteria are safe.
Enterococcus bacteria can also indicate risk of other more serious problems in swimming water. Contact with the water can increase the risk of skin, ear and eye irritations as well as lung or digestive system infections.
WFTV
