In recent weeks, floods in the Northeast have led to dozens of beach closures. Heavy rainfall and flooding increase the risk that water will be contaminated with disease-causing pathogens that people can accidentally ingest while swimming. One recent study estimated that 57 million illnesses each year are the direct result of people swimming in contaminated oceans, lakes, rivers and ponds in the United States. This doesn’t mean we should all stop swimming, though — it just means that there are certain situations and warnings to look out for. “I have a 6-year-old and an 8-year-old, and we go swimming all the time,” Ms. Hlavsa said.

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Persons: Michele Hlavsa, “, ” Ms, Hlavsa Organizations: Centers for Disease Control Locations: United States