The Whatcom County Health Department lifted the no-contact advisory for Wildcat Cove, a beach in Larrabee State Park, Wednesday morning.
The county health department initially issued a no-contact warning for the beach on Aug. 5 after water sampling showed high results for enterococcus, a bacteria found in animal and human feces. Enterococcus can lead to illness and infections, according to Heather Gibbs, a coordinator for the Beach Environmental Assessment, Communication and Health program at the Washington State Department of Ecology (DOE).
Sample results shared Aug. 17 show there is no longer a public health risk from water-borne bacteria, according to a release from DOE.
Several other public beaches in Whatcom County, including beaches in Birch Bay and along Marine Park, are also being monitored for bacteria, though only one beach currently has a swimming advisory.
The beach in Little Squalicum Park has a permanent swimming advisory, and testing shows consistently high levels of bacteria.
