A health advisory has been posted at four Palm Beach County beaches that have shown elevated levels of bacteria in the water, state health officials said.

Jupiter Beach Park, Carlin Park, Palm Beach and Lake Worth Beach all showed bacterial levels greater than 71 colonies per 100 milliliters of marine water, putting those beaches in the poor category. Water quality is divided into poor, moderate and good ranges, said the Florida Department of Health for Palm Beach County.

Contact with water exhibiting containing high bacteria rates may pose increased risk of infectious disease, especially for susceptible individuals, the health deparment said.

The causes for the elevated bacteria levels that forced the advisory are unknown, but are likely related to wildlife, heavy recreational usage, high surf from high winds and high tides or runoff following heavy rains, health officials said.

The health department recommends that swimmers always rinse off with fresh water after using a natural body of water.

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Health department issues advisory for four county beaches - Palm Beach Post