Which specific bacteria does Florida's Department of Health frequently target in coastal water testing programs?
Answer
*Enterococcus* bacteria
The foundation of Florida's beach water quality monitoring programs involves analyzing collected water samples for specific fecal indicator bacteria. Among these, *Enterococcus* bacteria are frequently targeted because their elevated presence serves as a strong indicator that the water has been contaminated by fecal matter originating from warm-blooded animals. This identification is crucial because fecal contamination, regardless of immediate source verification, raises the probability that potentially harmful pathogens dangerous to humans may also be present in the water, necessitating public health warnings.
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