Red tide

From page 13 the air conditioner, making sure that the AC filter is maintained according to the manufacturer’s specifications

∫ S e a f o o d , i n c l u d i n g s h e l l f i s h , i n restaurants, hotels, grocery stores, and markets is safe to eat Cooked shellfish oysters, clams, mussels thoroughly to prevent exposure to Vibrio vulnificus Shellfish should not be harvested or eaten from areas with active red tide Beach-goers are encouraged to check conditions before going to the beach as they can change daily

What is red tide?

Red tide is one type of harmful algal bloom caused by high concentrations of the toxic dinoflagellate Karenia brevis (K brevis), a type of microscopic algae found in the Gulf of Mexico It typically forms naturally offshore, commonly in late summer or early fall, and is carried into coastal waters by winds and currents

Once inshore, these organisms can use nearshore nutrient sources to fuel their growth Blooms typically last into winter or spring, but in some cases, can endure for more than one year

Is it har mful?

K brevis produces potent neurotoxins (brevetoxins) that can be harmful to the health of wildlife and people Wind and wave action can break open K brevis cells and release toxins into the air. This is why you should monitor conditions and use caution when visiting affected water bodies People in coastal areas can experience varying degrees of eye, nose and throat irritation during a red tide bloom Some individuals with chronic respiratory conditions, like asthma or chronic lung disease, might experience more severe symptoms Red tide toxins can also affect the central nervous system of fish and other marine life, which can lead to fish kills and increased wildlife strandings or mortalities Eating contaminated seafood can cause neurotoxic shellfish poisoning in humans Symptoms include nausea and vomiting; tingling of the mouth, lips and tongue; and slurred speech and dizziness

T o f i n d c u r r e n t i n f o r m a t i o n a b o u t

Florida's water quality status and public h ealth n o tif icatio n s f o r h ar mf u l alg al b l o o m s a n d b e a c h c o n d i t i o n s , v i s i t

ProtectingFloridaTogether gov and floridahealth gov/environmental-health/aquatic-toxins For local shellfish harvesting status, visit the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services at h t t p s : / / w w w f d a c s g o v / A g r i c u l t u r eI n d u s t r y / A q u a c u l t u r e / S h e l l f i s h -

Harvesting-Area-Classification

Where to repor t issues related to red tide?

T h e F l o r i d a F i s h a n d W i l d l i f e Conservation Commission collects and analyzes red tide samples and results are u p d a t e d m u l t i p l e t i m e s d a i l y a t MyFWC com/redtidemap/ Status updates are issued twice weekly during blooms at https://myfwc com/research/redtide/state wide/ To hear a recording about red tide conditions throughout the state, call the toll-free hotline at 866-300-9399

To report fish kills, contact the Florida Fish and Wildlife Research Institute via the FWC Reporter App, call 800-6360 5 1 1 o r r e p o r t o n l i n e a t https://myfwc com/research/saltwater/hea lth/fish-kills-hotline/

Report symptoms from exposure to a harmful algal bloom or any aquatic toxin to the Florida Poison Information Center Call 800-222-1222 to speak to a poison specialist immediately

C o n t a c t y o u r v e t e r i n a r i a n i f y o u believe your pet has become ill after consuming or having contact with red tideaffected water or contaminated marine life

For other health questions or concerns about red tide blooms, call the DOH-Lee at 239-690-2100