State health officials are warning that a river in Saline County is unsafe for swimming after three cases of illness were linked to the body of water.
Water from the Saline River near the Highway Five bridge was tested after three poeple fell ill with sever diarrheal illness in the past month.
"We are posting warnings on this particular stretch of the river, but people need to know that swimming in rivers, lakes and streams anywhere in the state can be dangerous to your health," said Dr. James Phillips, the infectious disease branch chief at the health department. "Parents need to understand the risk to small children, and how to prevent recreational water illness."
Drinking or accidentally swallowing water from any untreated water source could potentially result in water borne related illness. Examples of symptoms of such illnesses could include diarrhea, cramps and nausea. Recreational water illnesses are caused by germs spread by swallowing, breathing in mists or aerosols of, or having contact with contaminated water in swimming pools, hot tubs, water parks, water play areas, interactive fountains, lakes, rivers or oceans.