Swim advisory covers DuBois, Carlin, Coral Cove and other Jupiter beaches after high bacteria readings

State health officials are telling people to stay out of the water at several Jupiter-area beaches after routine tests found high bacteria levels.

The Florida Department of Health in Palm Beach County says water samples taken Monday, Oct. 26, did not meet state standards for enterococcus bacteria. The local parks affected are DuBois Park (including the snorkel lagoon), Carlin Park, Ocean Cay Park, Coral Cove Park and Jupiter Beach Park. (BocaNewsNow, citing DOH-Palm Beach; Palm Beach Daily News)

Palm Beach County Parks & Recreation shared the advisory on Instagram Tuesday afternoon.

Other county beaches under the advisory: R.G. Kreusler Memorial Park (Lake Worth-Kreusler), South Inlet Park, Gulfstream Park and Ocean Reef Park. The health department's list also includes Red Reef Park, Spanish River, Sandoway-Delray Beach, Boynton Beach, Lantana Beach and Riviera Beach Municipal Beach Park on Singer Island.

A swim advisory does not close the beach. You can still go to the beach, but the health department says to avoid swimming and other water activities because the risk of getting sick is higher. Enterococcus bacteria live in the guts of people and animals. Some strains can cause stomach illness, infections or rashes. The state considers water safe at 35 enterococci or fewer per 100 milliliters of water.

The health department did not give a cause. Heavy rain and rough surf hit the area this week, and county lifeguards also flew double red flags (no swimming) because of high surf and rip currents on Oct. 26 (PBC Parks beach conditions). Rain runoff often raises bacteria levels, but officials have not linked the two.

This is the second advisory this month. On Oct. 20, the health department flagged nine sites, including DuBois Park, DuBois Lagoon, Carlin Park and Ocean Cay Park, based on Oct. 19 tests (DOH-Palm Beach).

Health officials plan to test the water again later this week. The advisory stays in place until bacteria levels drop below the state standard.