The state Health Department this afternoon issued a bacteria advisory for two popular beach spots — Kuhio Beach in Waikiki and the Diamond Head side of Ala Moana Beach Park.

Health officials said levels of 945 per 100 milliliters of enterococci, beyond the threshold of 130, were detected during routine beach monitoring at Kuhio Beach in Waikiki. Levels of 164 per 100 milliliters of enterococci were detected during routine beach monitoring at Ala Moana Beach Park.

The advisory is posted because the levels of enterococci indicate that potentially harmful microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, protozoa, or parasites may be present in the water.

Swimming at beaches with pollution in the water may make one ill. Children, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems are the most likely populations to develop illnesses or infections after coming into contact with polluted water, usually while swimming.

While the swimming-related illnesses can be unpleasant, they require little or no treatment or get better quickly upon treatment, with no long-term health effects.

Signs have been posted at the beach, and the advisory remains in effect until water sample test results no longer exceed the threshold level of 130 enterococci per 100 milliliters.

Updates are available at this link.