Swim at this Anna Maria Island beach and risk infectious disease, health officials warn

The Florida Health Department in Manatee County has issued a no-swim advisory for the northern end of Bayfront Park on the shore of Tampa Bay in the city of Anna Maria.

“A no-swim advisory indicates that water contact may pose an increased risk of infectious diseases to humans,” the health department said late Thursday.

Water samples taken earlier this week showed high levels of enterococci bacteria, often associated with the presence of feces, but can be naturally occurring from large swaths of decaying vegetation.

The Health Department did not report any potential causes for the bacteria being present.

“Other water recreation areas located in Manatee County are not currently under advisory,” health officials said.

The advisory will remain in effect at the park located at 315 N. Bay Blvd. until samplings show bacteria levels have dropped.

Meanwhile, a red tide warning that had been issued for around the island was lifted earlier this week after a sample collected Monday near the Rod and Reel Pier at the northern tip of Anna Maria Island showed only a “very low” concentration of Karenia brevis, the organism that causes harmful algal bloom known as red tide.

Last week, algae levels measured there were “high,” or more than 1 million cells of K. brevis per liter.

Concentrations also dropped elsewhere around the island. Very low levels of K. brevis were detected in samples on the Gulf and Intracoastal sides of Bradenton Beach, and one “low” concentration was collected in the Intracoastal near Longboat Pass. Algae levels had previously been medium to high in those areas, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Reporter Ryan Ballogg contributed information to this story.

This story was originally published August 20, 2021 at 10:06 AM.