State health officials say the public should continue to stay out of Kaha­luu Lagoon and the channel leading to Kane­ohe Bay while an investigation seeks to pinpoint the source of a high level of bacteria.

A test conducted Wednesday at 13 sites found high levels of contamination. Health officials said the high levels of enterococcus and clostridium bacteria could indicate the presence of sewage that could touch off diseases such as gastroenteritis, conjunctivitis, leptospirosis and cholera.

Health spokeswoman Janice Okubo said Friday additional testing is tentatively scheduled for Wednesday and that the testing sites are being expanded to 15 from 13.

Before the state’s notification of the contamination in late October, the Kaha­luu Neighborhood Board had received reports of sores and skin rashes from canoe paddlers, boaters and fishermen.

Warning signs have been posted to advise people not to enter the water in Kaha­luu Lagoon.

Okubo said as far as she knows, there have been no hospitalizations as a result of the infections.

She said the area mauka of the lagoon and channel has numerous private cesspools, farms and businesses.

"There are lots of homes that have cesspools that were built years and years ago," Okubo said.

"It’s going to take some time to pinpoint where the source actually is."

Health officials remind the public to avoid entering any recreational waters with open cuts or abrasions as they increase the risk of infection.