The state Department of Health issued a high bacteria advisory this afternoon for Lanikai Beach on Windward Oahu.

During routine monitoring, the department’s Clean Water Branch detected a high level of enterococci, indicating 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 you ill, according to the Health Department. Children, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems are the most likely to develop illnesses or infections after coming into contact with polluted water, usually while swimming.

Fortunately, while swimming-related illnesses can be unpleasant, they usually require little or no treatment or get better quickly after treatment, with no long-term health effects.

Signs have been posted at the beach, and the advisory will remain in effect until water samples no longer exceed the threshold level of 130 enterococci per 100 milliliters.

Updates are available at this link.