Students traveling to Florida for spring break could come home with more than a bad sunburn if they choose to go swimming in the ocean.

Ten beaches in the state had advisories issued by the Florida Department of Health last Thursday that warned people to stay out of the water because of the high levels of bacteria present.

The advisories were lifted Tuesday, clearing the beaches for swimming.

Bart Bibler, chief of the Bureau of Water Programs for the Florida Department of Health, said the high levels of two specific types of bacteria, enterocci bacteria and fecal coliform, were the cause for the advisories.

“These types of bacteria are found in human and animal waste, but we do not know the cause of this outbreak,” Bibler said.

“It could be caused by leaking septic tanks or even bird waste. A large flock of birds or seagulls in the area could even elevate the presence [of the bacteria] in the water.”

Bibler also said one possibility for elevated levels is the bacteria may have settled into the sand sediments on the ocean floor after a previous elevation. After a period of heavy waves, the bacteria could have been stirred up and released into the water.

“There was a lot of heavy wave action the week before the warnings were issued, so this theory remains a possibility,” he said.

The presence of these two types of bacteria can increase the risk to swimmers in developing “gastrointestinal diseases and complications such as gas, diarrhea, vomiting, fevers and rashes,” Bibler said.

Mary Fosse, travel nurse at the Thielen Student Health Center, said students can contract Hepatitis A from this bacteria.

“Hepatitis A is a fecal contaminant that comes from food or water,” Fosse said.

Students going to any resort area for spring break including Mexico, Jamaica and the Bahamas, should be careful, she said.

“I tell students to swim in well-maintained pools and oceans that are free of pollutants. If a warning sign is posted … you shouldn’t go swimming,” she said.”It is really a no-brainer.”

Bibler said the area most heavily affected was around Ft. Lauderdale in Broward County, a hot spot for spring break vacations.

“It was unusual for these sites to have such high concentrations. They have a great history [for being clean],” Bibler said.

The bacteria levels in all of the affected areas are now back to normal, Bibler said.

“Nature ran its course and the currents moved the water around. It is now completely safe,” he said.

The bacteria is always present in the water at small levels but consistent testing at over 315 sites in the state by the Florida Healthy Beaches Program keep the waters safe, Bibler said.

Students can visit www.doh.state.fl.us while in Florida to check the quality of beaches and check to see if any new advisories have been issued.

Students who are heading to Florida don’t seem too worried about the advisories.

“I won’t prepare any differently. It wouldn’t phase me any, I’ll go in the water anyway,” said Wes Keith, junior in exercise and sport science who is heading down to Naples, Fla. for his spring break.

Dave Pisak, a sophomore in computer engineering who is going to Panama City, Fla. agreed.

“I heard briefly that there was bacteria in the water down there, but I don’t really care … I’ll still swim in the ocean,” he said.