A high bacteria advisory has been issued for Kukuiula Bay on Kauai.

The state health department found enterococci levels of 272 per 100 milliliters during routine beach monitoring.

The advisory is posted because testing for enterococci indicate 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 people ill, particularly children, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems.

While swimming-related illnesses, most commonly gastroenteritis, can be unpleasant, they are usually not very serious and require little or no treatment or get better quickly upon treatment and have no long-term health effects.

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

Visit the health department’s clean water branch website for updates.