More Than 100 Boaters Sickened After Fourth Of July Event At Minnesota Lake

More than 100 swimmers and boaters celebrating the Fourth of July on a Minnesota lake have fallen ill, prompting an investigation by health officials amid several closures of nearby beaches due to high bacteria levels.

As of Wednesday morning, 116 people have complained of vomiting and/or three or more bouts of diarrhea after being in the area of Big Island on Lake Minnetonka last week, according to the Hennepin County Public Health Department.

But exactly what caused the illnesses is not yet known.

We are continuing to investigate and are waiting on lab results, Allison Thrash, the departments communications manager, said in an email Thursday morning.

Time-lapse view of Big Island on the 4th of July. Officials studying what sickened July 4th boaters on Lake Minnetonka. https://t.co/Uk3lPfIkEE
@StarTribune pic.twitter.com/1jKV2cng75

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Time-lapse view of Big Island on the 4th of July. Officials studying what sickened July 4th boaters on Lake Minnetonka. https://t.co/Uk3lPfIkEE
@StarTribune pic.twitter.com/1jKV2cng75
Carlos Gonzalez (@CarlosGphoto) July 10, 2019

Beaches across the state have had closures over health concerns in recent weeks, with three in Minneapolis and one in Chaska most recently closing after routine testing found high levels of E. coli bacteria, Minnesota Public Radio reported .

The bacteria can cause severe stomach cramps, diarrhea (often bloody) and vomiting, typically three to four days after exposure, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .

Debra Pilger, director of environmental management for the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board, said its not unusual for beaches to close during the summer, though the public should take precautions by not going into rivers, lakes or ponds within 24 hours of heavy rainfall.

All that rain is bringing in stormwater runoff off the streets and the lawns and the beaches themselves and bringing all of that kind of dirty water into the lakes. And thats when our bacteria loads get really high, she told the local station.

Unfortunately, Minnesota isnt alone in seeing high levels of bacteria in waterways in recent weeks.