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Perceptions of increases in "muck" formation and sediment along the beaches in Huron County has resulted in great concern among the public, especially local homeowners. In addition, preliminary testing of the material has detected fecal indicators, including e-Coli, which has also resulted in public concerns related to the potential human health implications of contact with the material.

Until the exact nature of the debris ("muck") that is causing the concern is identified, persons should wash with soap and water if in contact with the "muck." People with open sores and wounds and anyone that may ingest the material should avoid the "muck" areas altogether, especially young children and persons with weakened immune systems. The Saginaw Bay Science Committee together with the Michigan Department of Community Health has developed a human health survey to help capture possible illnesses associated with recreational and drinking water exposures in the Saginaw Bay area (Arenac, Bay, Huron, Iosco, and Tuscola Counties).

The survey, named "WaterWatch," is located on the Web at www.michigan.gov/healthwatch. At the Web site, participants should select the survey called "WaterWatch - Saginaw Bay Water Survey." The Web site will be available 24 hours/day and can accommodate hundreds of visitors simultaneously.

The survey will be available to anyone who visits and recreates in the Saginaw Bay area and will focus on water exposures occurring within by allowing users to self-report illnesses believed to be associated with exposure to water, sand, or muck. Persons are encouraged to report regardless if they are not ill enough to seek medical attention or have confirmed cases of illness with an associated water exposure.

The survey will ask questions pertaining to illness onset, symptoms experienced, duration of illness, exposure location, duration of exposure, type of exposure (recreational or drinking water), water activities, weather conditions, odors present, debris present, wildlife observed, etc.

MDCH epidemiologists will be monitoring the data routinely, analyzing the data for trends over time and relaying de-identified human illness/reported exposure data to toxicologists at Michigan Department of Environmental Quality. MDCH and MDEQ together will determine and implement the appropriate public health intervention should the data indicate action.

The intent of WaterWatch is to increase public health surveillance for waterborne diseases, both sporadic cases and potential outbreak situations. MDCH and MDEQ will work together to coordinate illness data and environmental data in hopes of detecting potential health risks in the Saginaw Bay area and implement an appropriate public health intervention.

For more information, see the Huron County Health Department Web site at www.huron.localhealth.net.