Red Tide Health Alert In Hillsborough: FL Health Department

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FL — Red tide blooms that can possibly cause respiratory issues have been reported near Moody Point, Manbirtree Key, Camp Key and Little Cockroach Island, the Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County said.

According to the health department, Moody Point and Mabirtree Key have health high alert levels of respiratory irritation and harm to fish as of Thursday.

Locations that have health caution levels of respiratory irritation and possible fish kills include Camp Key and Little Cockroach Island, also as of Thursday.

Some people may have mild and short-lived respiratory symptoms such as eye, nose and throat irritation similar to cold symptoms, health officials said. Some individuals with breathing problems, such as asthma, might experience more severe symptoms.

Usually symptoms go away when a person leaves the area or goes indoors. Health officials recommend that people experiencing these symptoms stay away from beach areas or go into an air-conditioned space. If symptoms do not subside, please contact your health care provider for evaluation.
DOH-Hillsborough recommends that you:

• Do not swim around dead fish at this location.
• If you have chronic respiratory problems, be careful and consider staying away from this location as red tide can affect your breathing.
• Do not harvest or eat molluscan shellfish from this location.
• Do not harvest or eat distressed or dead fish from this location.
• Rinse fillets from healthy fish with tap or bottled water. Throw out guts.
• Keep pets and livestock away from water, sea foam and dead sea life.

Florida Poison Control Centers have a toll-free 24/7 Hotline for reporting of illnesses, including health effects from exposure to red tide at 1-800-222-1222.

Visit the Florida Fish and Wildlife Research website for information on the locations where red tide has been found.

For additional information about red tide and the current red tide bloom, including information on how to report a fish kill or other wildlife effects, consult health authorities about human exposure, or locate other resources, visit the Red Tide-Related Hotlines and Information Sources.