BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — As families pack up for a fun-filled time along the Louisiana coast, there's one more thing that should be checked before heading to the beach — health advisories.

The state Department of Health tests and posts the results of water-quality samples taken along Louisiana's beaches every week. The Advocate reports the tests specifically look for a group of bacteria commonly found in sewage that cause illnesses like rashes, stomach problems or infections.

From April through October, these advisories are posted online as well as on signs at the beaches to give people more information about possible risks.

Twenty-four beach advisories can be found at dhh.louisiana.gov.

 

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