UM study: Tropical waters could help spread germs

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Swimmers should shower before and after taking a dip in the ocean.

That's the advice of a University of Miami microbiologist, who found that 37 percent of swimmers at a South Florida beach emerged dripping water with staph in it. Three percent was the dangerous drug-resistant staph, MRSA.

Dr. Lisa Plano presented her study at a science conference on Friday. She said it appeared the staph washed off other swimmers. Chlorine in pools kills the bacteria, but the study suggests that tropical waters could help spread the germ.