Island County bans swimming at Freeland County Park due to high levels of fecal bacteria

COUPEVILLE, Wash. -- The Island County Health Department on Thursday closed Freeland County Park to swimming due to high levels of fecal bacteria in the water.

The beach will be re-sampled for bacteria levels next week.  The public is to have no contact with the water until further notice, it said.

The department said contact with fecal-contaminated waters can result in gastroenteritis, skin rashes, upper respiratory infections, and other illnesses. Children and the elderly may be more vulnerable to waterborne illnesses.

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