The Florida Department of Health in Sarasota County issued a health alert Wednesday due to the presence of red tide near the following beaches: Ringling Causeway/Bird Key Park Beach, North Lido Beach, Lido Casino Beach, Siesta Key Beach, Turtle Beach, Nokomis Beach, North Jetty Beach, Venice Beach, Service Club Beach, Venice Fishing Pier, Brohard Park Beach and Manasota Key Beach.
This is a response to a water sample taken on November 12.
The public should exercise caution in and around this area, health officials said.
Residents and visitors are advised to take the following precautions when near affected areas:
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Look for signs posted at most public beaches and/or check the current water quality status with Protecting Florida Together.
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Do not wade or swim in or around red tide. Red tide can cause skin irritation, rash and burning/sore eyes.
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Wash your skin and clothes with soap and fresh water if you have had recent contact with red tide, especially if your skin is easily irritated.
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Exercise caution and stay away from this location, especially if you have chronic respiratory conditions.
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Residents living in beach areas are advised to close windows and turn on air conditioning. Make sure the air conditioner filter is maintained according to the manufacturer’s specifications.
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Do not harvest or eat mollusks or distressed or dead fish at this location. When caught alive and healthy, fin whales are safe to eat as long as they are filleted and the innards discarded. Rinse the fillets with tap or bottled water.
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Red tide can cause illness and death to other animals, such as pets and livestock. Keep animals away from the water, marine life and dead marine life. If your pet swims in red tide water, wash him with soap and water as soon as possible.
What is red tide?
The Florida Department of Health in Sarasota County has issued a health alert for several area beaches due to elevated red tide levels at several area beaches
Red tide is caused by high concentrations of a toxin-producing dinoflagellate called Karenia brevis (K. brevis), a type of microscopic algae found in the Gulf of Mexico. Red tide usually forms naturally off the coast, usually in late summer or early fall, and is carried to coastal waters by wind and currents.
At high enough concentrations, K. brevis can discolor water and give it a red or brown tint. For more information about red tide occurrences, visit Protecting Florida Together.
Is red tide harmful?
K. brevis produces potent neurotoxins (brevotoxins) that can be harmful to humans, pets, fish and wildlife. Wind and wave action can break open K. brevis cells and release toxins into the air. Therefore, you should monitor conditions and exercise caution when visiting affected water bodies. People can experience varying degrees of eye, skin and respiratory irritation from red tide. Susceptible individuals (for example, children, the elderly, people with weakened immune systems, and people with chronic respiratory diseases) may be at risk of experiencing more severe symptoms.
For more information about the potential health effects of algae blooms, visit the Florida Department of Health’s Harmful Algal Blooms web page.
Where can I find current information about water status?
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission routinely collects and analyzes red tide samples from across the state. Current information about Florida’s water quality status and public health notifications about harmful algal blooms and beach conditions is available at Protecting Florida Together. You can subscribe to receive notifications when water quality changes in your area.
To hear a recording of red tide conditions across the state, call the toll-free hotline at 866-300-9399.
Visit the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services for local shellfish harvesting permits.
Where can I report i8 issues related to red tide?
Human Health: Report symptoms of exposure to a harmful algal bloom or water poison to the Florida Poison Information Center by calling 800-222-1222 to speak with a poison specialist.
Animal Health: Contact your veterinarian if you think your pet has become ill after consuming or coming into contact with redwater-contaminated water.
Fish kills: Dead, sick or abnormally behaving fish or wildlife should be reported to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission online or at 800-636-0511.
If you have other health questions or concerns about red tide blooms, call DOH-Sarasota at 941-861-6133.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Red tide found at 12 Sarasota County beaches during latest water testing
