Beachgoers react to health concerns

PANAMA CITY BEACH — The Gulf of Mexico in the Florida Panhandle has been the subject of water-related health concerns, given a recent health advisory for a beach access point near the Ocean Towers Beach Club in Panama City Beach and concerns on social media about flesh-eating bacteria.

A sample at the access point showed the water contained a bacteria called enterococcus, though the beach was still open for public use.

Beachgoers at the access point gave their reactions on Friday. Whether they were aware of the advisory and concerned about it depended on whom you ask. Micah Barker, visiting from Alabama, knew about the advisory.

“It happens all the time, red tide and all that,” said Barker, who frequently fishes in the area. “A lot of people don’t know but a lot of locals (do). This crap happens every year.”

Barker wasn’t bothered by the advisory and had been in the water a little bit.

Megan Austin, who came from Indiana to hang out in the sand, was not aware of the advisory.

“I don’t think we’re too concerned,” Austin said. “It’s still been a beautiful vacation.”

Louisiana resident Terry Lee had a different reaction. He didn’t know about the advisory and grew concerned when told of it.

“You scared me now,” Lee said. “I ain’t getting back in.”

As for the flesh-eating bacteria concerns, Austin called it “scary” but said it applies more to autoimmune-compromised people.

Regarding concerns about flesh-eating bacteria, officially known as necrotizing fasciitis, the Florida Department of Health Bay County posted on their website that “beaches are open and they are safe for visitors, but use caution when entering an open body of water.”

“If you have breaks in the skin such as cuts or sores, avoid getting in the water,” the Florida Department of Health Bay County website stated. “If you are immuno-compromised, wear shoes or foot protection to avoid getting cut by shells or rocks on the beach or in the water.”

Visitors have said people they knew got the disease after visiting Panhandle beaches, though the Florida Department of Health said in a June 27 statement there were “no current health concerns in Bay or surrounding counties.”

Lee was not aware of the flesh-eating bacteria concerns before being told about it Friday. After hearing about the concerns, he didn’t have a strong desire to swim in the Gulf again.

“That’s a huge concern,” Lee said. “My wife with sickle cell lupus would have got in, would have got a cut, could have messed her up. We didn’t know about it. She had plans to get in the water today.”

UPDATE: Visit Panama City Beach released a statement about the recent health concerns:

"The beaches are safe and we are welcoming visitors to Panama City Beach! Only one of the ten sites tested by the Bay County Health Department is currently under an advisory for enteric bacteria. The increase in enteric bacteria could come from stormwater runoff, pets and wildlife, and other sources. Healthy Beaches advisories are not related to necrotizing fasciitis, a rare bacterial infection. We do encourage beach-goers to visit the Florida Department of Health web site: www.bay.floridahealth.gov for additional information on the advisory and helpful tips to have the best summer vacation on the Real.FUN.Beach!"

(Ashleigh Wilde and Florida GateHouse media staff contributed to this report.)