Watch the video about to find out when the state tests nearly all New Jersey public beaches for the presence of a dangerous bacteria. Wochit | Russ Zimmer

Swimmers play in the surf in Point Pleasant Beach in this file photo from 2016.(Photo: P Ackerman/Staff Photographer)Buy Photo

Water at two public beaches in Long Branch tested high for a bacteria known to be a red flag for the presence of pathogens that could putswimmers at risk of illness.

Another beach in Highlands, which isn't open to swimmers, was measured at nearly 9 times thethreshold for recreational use.

No beach in Ocean County tested above the safe swimming standard, continuing the county's nearly perfect run of water quality early in the season.

But a troubling trend continues forMonmouth County, which has struggled with bacteria issues so far.

In Ocean County, three non-ocean beaches failed tests on May 15, the only time so far since testing began last month that high bacteria counts have been an issue south of the Manasquan Inlet.

However, Monmouth County has now had 31such failures, half of which have been on oceanfront beaches, which is unusual in New Jersey.

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The tests are part of a weekly monitoring program thatis on the lookout forenterococcus, a bacteria that grows inside the intestines of humans and other warm-blooded animals and can be found alongside their feces. This kind of bacteria is considered a warning sign of dangerous pathogens.

Swallowing any contaminated water could result in cramps and diarrhea from gastrointestinal illnesses, according to the National Institutes of Health.

The standard for safe swimming is less than 104 colony forming units, or cfu, per 100 milliliters of water.

Per NJbeaches.org, here are the beaches that tested above the safe swimming threshold:

These beacheswere scheduled to be tested again Tuesday, and every day after that, until they are measured back at safe levels. Results will be released Wednesday morning on APP.com.

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In New Jersey, rainfall is closely linked to high bacteria levels. Bacteria counts tend to spike following precipitation, and then moderate as the rainwater is dispersed into the river, bay or ocean.

There was light rain across the region on Monday, with most Monmouthlocations receiving between a tenth and a half inch of precipitation, according to Rutgers University's NJ Weather and Climate Network.

Every Tuesday online,the Press and app.com will post water-quality test results from every Jersey Shore beach that exceeds federal safe swimming standards for fecal bacteria.

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Russ Zimmer: 732-557-5748, razimmer@app.com

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Beach report: Bacteria high in Long Branch - Asbury Park Press