The
Suffolk County Commissioner of Health Services Dr. James Tomarken today warned
beachgoers to be cautious when bathing at ocean beaches following a shark
attack at Atlantique Beach on Fire Island in the Town of Islip. The Department
was informed at about 1 p.m. today by Islip Town officials that a young swimmer
on a boogie board had been bitten on the leg.
As
a precautionary measure, health officials at 1:20 p.m. contacted all ocean
beach operators to advise lifeguards to observe the waters for sharks. Suffolk
County Police were notified and have a dispatched a helicopter to the
area.
“As
the Suffolk County Department of Health Services monitors all permitted bathing
beaches in Suffolk County for bacteria and any situation that may be harmful to
human health,” said Dr. James
Tomarken.
Residents
and visitors to Suffolk County are advised to call their local beach operators
to find out if their local beach is closed to bathing. For beaches that
come under the jurisdiction of Suffolk County, contact Suffolk
County Parks: 631-854-4949.
Follow us:
suffolkcountyny.gov
Facebook.com/SuffolkCountyHealth
Twitter.com/SuffolkCoHealth