Beaches: 2013 Shigella Outbreak and Proposed Amendments to Regulations

Vanessa Curran, Bathing Beaches CoordinatorEnvironmental Toxicology ProgramBureau of Environmental HealthMassachusetts Department of Public Health

Outline

I. 2013 Shigella OutbreakII. Analysis of Historical DataIII. Proposed Amendments to

RegulationsIV. Next StepsV. Questions

I. Shigella Outbreak

Shigella Outbreak (cont.)

Around July 4th, over 130 people got sick after swimming at Spring Lake in Burrillville, RI

Shigellosis – diarrhea, fever, stomach crampsTransmitted person to person

The RI Dept. of Health believes that fecal contamination of the water occurred on 7/4

Burrillville abuts the Massachusetts border (Uxbridge and Douglas)

Shigella Outbreak (cont.)

5 miles apart

Shigella Outbreak (cont.)

Swimmers also reported becoming ill after swimming at Wallum Lake in Douglas (DCR property) which spans MA/RI border – 7 confirmed cases

Webster Lake in Webster – 4 confirmed cases Falls Pond in North Attleboro – 1 confirmed

case

Shigella Outbreak (cont.)

Beaches staff conducted site visits at Wallum and Webster lakes and reviewed beach sampling data

DCR staff increased cleaning of Wallum Lake facilities based on DPH recommendations

Falls Pond was closed (high bacteria) at time of exposure Also conducted phone interviews with ill beachgoers Beaches staff coordinated with staff from MDPH’s Division

of Epidemiology and Immunization MDPH epis worked with RI epis and CDC

II. Analysis of Historical Data

Marine Beaches 60 communities with marine beaches

Approximately 535 marine beaches with 600 sampling locations

On average, 8,000 samples are collected annually, 5% of which exceed the single sample bacteria standard, which results in posting a beach (no swimming)

MA has the highest number of monitored marine beaches in New England and 3rd highest in U.S.

Analysis of Historical Data Freshwater Beaches

181 communities with freshwater beaches

Approximately 530 freshwater beaches with 575 sampling locations

On average, 7,500 samples are collected annually, 4% of which exceed the single sample bacteria standard

Analysis of Historical Data

Exceedances occur infrequently (about 5% of marine beach samples and 4% of freshwater beach samples).

Available testing methods require 24 hrs for incubation; results of water samples taken are not available until the next day.

Analysis of Historical Data

The vast majority of exceedances are transient (e.g., present one day but not the next day).

This often results in a beach being posted when water quality is good.

13 years of beach data show that approximately 80% of beach postings occur on days when the water test results are acceptable.

III. Proposed Amendments to Beaches Regulations

Problem with Current Criteria: A sample taken on Day 1 has results on

Day 2, showing an exceedance. This results in a posting on Day 2. Another sample is taken on Day 2, with results on Day 3 showing no exceedance for the Day 2 sample.

This means that the beach was frequently posted on a day (Day 2) when it was clean.

Proposed Amendments to Beaches Regulations

Inaccurate postings result in:

Fewer opportunities for recreation.

Increased administrative work for local health officials.

Economic impacts to local communities and beach community businesses.

Proposed Amendments to Beaches Regulations

Proposed New Criteria: For beaches with a history of infrequent and transient

elevated bacteria levels, a posting will not be required until after two samples collected on consecutive days show elevated bacteria levels.• Other Northeast states similarly require two consecutive days

of exceedances before posting (e.g., Connecticut, New Jersey)

Plum Island – Newburyport

Proposed Amendments to Beaches Regulations

If a sample is not collected on the day following the initial exceedance, then the beach must be posted

A consecutive sample must be collected in order to avoid posting on Day 2

LBOH can also choose to post after 1 exceedance if desired

Proposed Amendments to Beaches Regulations For beaches with a history of more frequent

elevated bacteria levels that remain for more than 24 hours, postings will continue to be required after each instance of elevated bacteria levels. • These are the beaches more likely to have non-

transient bacteria contamination

Wollaston Beach - Quincy

Proposed Amendments to Beaches Regulations Through a thorough analysis of historical data,

MDPH/BEH determined that beaches which experienced at least one instance of consecutive day

exceedances in at least two of the most recent four beach

seasons will still require posting after one single sample exceedance.

Approximately 5% of marine and freshwater beaches statewide fall into this category.

Proposed Amendments to Beaches Regulations These amendments will result in far

fewer postings on days that beach waters actually meet water quality standards and provide protection of public health for beaches deemed to present a greater risk.

IV. Next Steps

Public Comment Period: 4/11 – 4/28/2014 Present information on proposed regulatory changes to local health

officials at two joint regional MHOA-MDPH/BEH workshops in April Public Hearing on April 28, 2014 Review and prepare response to public comments Return to PHC in May 2014 for final approval Intention for regulations to take effect in June 2014 for majority of

bathing beach season

V. Questions?

Contact Information

Vanessa Curran, Bathing Beaches Coordinator Phone – 617.624.5757 Fax – 617.624.5183 E-mail – Vanessa.Curran@state.ma.us

Irena Draksic, Bathing Beaches Inspector Region – Cape & Islands and Buzzard’s Bay Communities Phone – 508.375.6875 Fax – 508.375.0140 E-mail – Irena.Draksic@state.ma.us

Michael Beattie, Bathing Beaches Inspector Region – All other areas Phone – 617.624.5757 Fax – 617.624.5183 E-mail – Mike.Beattie@state.ma.us