KETCHIKAN, Alaska (AP) - An Alaska official says at least two of the many beaches found to be contaminated near Ketchikan continue to have high levels of a wastewater and sewage pathogen. <\/p>\n
The Ketchikan Daily News reported (http:\/\/bit.ly\/2xe5NqV<\/a> ) Thursday that the waters at Thomas Basin and Rotary Beach still have high levels of enterococci bacteria. <\/p>\n Officials found high levels of the bacteria last week at several beaches between Clover Pass and Saxman. <\/p>\n The National Institutes of Health states the bacteria is common in the fecal matter of warm-blooded animals, more so in human feces. Contact with contaminated water can cause stomach aches and diarrhea, as well as infections. <\/p>\n Nancy Sonafrank of the state Department of Environmental Conservation says officials will continue sampling efforts until all area beaches test clean. <\/p>\n ___ <\/p>\n Information from: Ketchikan (Alaska) Daily News, http:\/\/www.ketchikandailynews.com<\/a> <\/p>\n<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Read more: <\/p>\n Ketchikan beaches remain contaminated with fecal bacteria - Washington Times<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" KETCHIKAN, Alaska (AP) - An Alaska official says at least two of the many beaches found to be contaminated near Ketchikan continue to have high levels of a wastewater and sewage pathogen. Continue reading