High levels of bacteria found in waters off Kona

State health department officials are cautioning swimmers to stay out of waters near Kona Coast Beach Park on Tuesday after high levels of a dangerous bacteria were detected during a recent test.

KONA, HAWAII (HawaiiNewsNow) –

State health department officials are cautioning swimmers to stay out of waters near Kona Coast Beach Park on Tuesday after high levels of a dangerous bacteria were detected during a recent test.

The department’s Clean Water Branch said tests showed higher than acceptable levels of bacteria called enterococci in the area. The bacteria can sometimes cause wound and urinary tract infections.

The advisory will remain in effect until water samples “no longer exceed the recreational water quality standard.”