Swimming advisory in place at Orillia beach

A swimming advisory sign is shown at Moose Beach in Orillia, Ont. (CTV News)

If you’ve been brave enough to jump in the lake, take precautions before going for a dip in Orillia.

The health unit is warning people before they go swimming at Moose Beach, which is at J.B. Tudhope Memorial Park.

City officials in Orillia say they received notice from the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit that the advisory has been issued due to higher-than-normal bacteria count.

During a swim advisory, lifeguards are off duty and swimmers are warned to swim at their own risk.

“If you choose to swim during a swimming advisory, avoid ducking your head or swallowing the water,” say officials with the City of Orillia.

The City also places warning signs with information on the potential increase in developing minor irritations and infections.

High bacteria in the water can happen due to a number of factors with the most common ones being rain, wind and water fowl.

Some beaches in Gravenhurst, Tay Township, Muskoka Lakes and Midland are also under swim advisories.