Many Americans love to flock toward the ocean to celebrate Independence Day, but high bacteria levels in the water

High bacteria levels prompt beach closures, advisories from Michigan to New York
Portrait of Anthony Robledo Anthony Robledo
USA TODAY
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2025/06/30/beach-closures-advisories-bacteria/84422782007/


Many Americans love to flock toward the ocean to celebrate Independence Day, but high bacteria levels in the water in various areas around the country may disrupt tradition.

Officials have closed off swimming at beaches in some parts of Illinois, New York and Washington due to excessive bacteria in the water. In Massachusetts, nearly 20 beaches are closed to the public as swimming could cause illness, according to the Patriot Ledger, part of the USA TODAY Network.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns that bacteria known as vibrio are often typically found in coastal waters and can cause various vibriosis symptoms, including diarrhea, stomach cramps, vomiting and fever, as well as blistering skin lesions and dangerously low blood pressure. The CDC warns that some vibrio bacteria can cause severe and life-threatening infections.

Here's some of the areas where excessive bacteria levels prompted beach closures or advisories ahead of the Fourth of July.................