Florida issues health alert over toxic algae called ‘red tide’ that causes irritation and cough
Florida officials are issuing health alerts over outbreak of toxic algae called ‘red tide’ that could spark a wave of respiratory problems among beachgoers
Florida officials are warning that an incoming “red tide” of algae-killing fish could make beachgoers sick this spring break.
Red tide occurs when the algae multiply rapidly and cause a harmful algal bloom (HAB). The red tidal organism Karenia brevis produces toxins that can kill marine life and birds.
Residents of the Gulf Coast area are no strangers to red water, but it falls earlier than usual this year. The red wave painting coastal waters is expected to occur in late summer and fall, but state health officials are now sounding the alarm.
While human exposure won’t be fatal, it can ruin a day at the beach. When the single-celled organism Karenia brevis blooms, inhaled toxins can cause respiratory irritation, coughing, sneezing, itchy throat and eye irritation.
Florida doesn’t usually close beaches due to red tides, but officials discourage swimming if there’s an advisory, as there is now.
The red tide causes dead marine life to wash up on the beaches of the Gulf of Mexico by the thousands every day
This map from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission indicates red tide hotspots include Collier, Lee, Manatee, and Pinellas counties
Water along the coast takes on a red hue when the algal population living in the water becomes extremely dense (pictured above)
The National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science issued a warning on Monday of a “moderate to high risk of respiratory irritation from Karenia brevis (red tide)” in five provinces. Once the red tide reaches a certain threshold, 100,000 cells per liter, the state issues a health alert, which remains in effect until water quality improves.
Water along the coast takes on a red hue when the algal population living in the water becomes extremely dense.
Neurotoxins produced by the algal blooms have also deposited thousands of dead fish on the banks. The algal bloom can also kill large mammals such as manatees.
People can then become ill from the toxins in the water or in spoiled shellfish.
The Collier County State Health Office, one of the agencies included in the NCCOS alert, has issued its own alert for beachgoers.
Collier County includes Naples and some of Florida’s most desirable beaches.
Naples receives more than a million visitors every year. The premature presence of the algae could jeopardize the local economy just as spring break arrives.
Kristine Hollingsworth, spokesperson for the Collier County Health Department said last week: ‘If you have a chronic respiratory disease, such as COPD, emphysema or asthma, we advise you not to go to the beach.
“If you are on the beach and you notice that you are experiencing red tides such as red, itchy eyes or coughing, we recommend that you leave the beach immediately.”
When the red tide should subside, health officials don’t know.
Ms Hollingsworth said there is no timeline ‘and only mother nature can make red tides disappear’.
In Fort Myers, located in Lee County, which is included in the warnings issued by the state health department, beach officials have left about 13 tons of dead fish.
The previous years proved just as deadly to marine life.
In 2021, a cleaning crew gathered in St. Petersburg 15 tons of dead fish clean up after 10 days.
Red tides are not a new phenomenon, although climate change due to human actions is believed to be exacerbating the problem.
Nutrients from fertilizer runoff are deposited in bodies of water and become food for algae.