Officials Warn Swimmers Of High Bacteria Levels At Monterey County Beach

MONTEREY COUNTY (CBS SF) -- Monterey County health officials have issued an advisory warning people to avoid swimming at a state beach in Pacific Grove because of high levels of bacteria found there.

UPDATE: Bacteria Advisory For Monterey County Beach Lifted

The advisory for Asilomar State Beach was issued Tuesday by the Monterey County Health Department, which found high levels of indicator bacteria in samples taken a day earlier.

Indicator bacteria are used to estimate the amount of fecal or other contamination in the water. Sources can include marine animals or other animal wildlife, human activity, or recent rainfall runoff.

County health officials recommend that people do not swim or have contact with water at beaches with higher levels of bacteria, which are associated with increased risks of illness.

More information on the status of Monterey Peninsula beaches can be found by calling (800) 347-6363 or visiting www.mtyhd.org/beach.