General Information: 
Karenia brevis – A single celled, dinoflagellate algae common in non lethal levels in the Gulf of Mexico and other sub-tropical coastal areas.
Given the right conditions (temperature, rainfall, salinity, etc.) water is subject to massive blooms of this algae.Algae gives water a red tint, hence “Red Tide”.
When algae dies, cells burst, releasing neurotoxin into water.Neurotoxin interferes with fish ability to breathe, killing
many, some of which wash ashore.
When waves hit beach, toxin become airborne, and can cause
allergy-like symptoms (scratchy throat/watery eyes, etc.).Shellfish (and filter feeders) harvesting is usually closed, as
eating these can cause ingestion of heavy doses of potentially
dangerous poisons.
Red tide outbreak can last a few days to several weeks; and only
becomes a public health hazard in extreme cases.What To Do:
If you’re susceptible, stay inside and/or away from the beaches or water.Avoid harvesting and/or eating shellfish harvested from areas with red tide outbreak.
Be careful, if swimming, not to ingest water.
For More Information:
Contact the
Florida Marine Research Institute,
or the Florida Department of Health.
Click Here to see information about the latest Red Tide
public awareness meeting.
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