Red Tide Present At Sarasota County Beaches, Health Alert Issued

SARASOTA COUNTY, FL — Elevated levels of red tide were detected at some Sarasota County beaches Monday, the Department of Health in Sarasota County said in a health alert.

Beaches with elevated levels of the red tide organism, Karenia brevis, include Nokomis Beach, North Jetty, Venice Beach, Service Club, Venice Fishing Pier, Brohard Park, Caspersen, Manasota Key and Blind Pass.

Signs warning the public of the presence of red tide at these beaches will go up Thursday, the DOH said.

Karenia brevis produces brevetoxins that affect the central nervous system of fish and other vertebrates and can kill them, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission website. When waves break open the red tide organism's cells, it releases the toxins into the air, which can cause respiratory irritation, especially those with chronic respiratory conditions, like emphysema or asthma.

“Some people may have mild and short-lived respiratory symptoms such as eye, nose and throat irritation like those associated with the common cold or seasonal sinus allergies,” the DOH said. “Some individuals with existing breathing problems such as asthma might experience more severe effects.”

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These symptoms usually go away when a person goes indoors or leaves the beach. Health officials recommend that those who are sensitive to red tide or are experiencing symptoms avoid the beach or go into an air-conditioned space. If symptoms don’t go away, they should see a health care provider.

The DOH makes the following recommendations with the current levels of red tide in Sarasota County:

• Don’t swim around dead fish.
• If you have chronic respiratory problems, consider staying away from the beach as red tide can affect your breathing.
• Do not harvest or eat molluscan shellfish and distressed or dead fish. If fish are healthy, rinse fillets with tap or bottled water and throw out the guts.
• Keep pets and livestock away from water, sea foam and dead sea life.
• Residents living in beach areas who experience respiratory symptoms are advised to close windows and run the air conditioner.
• If outdoors, residents may choose to wear paper filter masks, especially if onshore winds are blowing.