Toxic algae that is killing fish in Florida can have dire affects for humans and animals

'Womb raider' is jailed for 50 years for murdering heavily-pregnant Chicago teen, 19, by luring her into her home then CUTTING baby from her abdomen - before trying to pass off the child as her own
Family of Las Vegas mother shot dead alongside her new husband by her former father-in-law reveal the sick messages she received before being shot during child custody hearing
'You're bitter and irrelevant:' Diehard Sydney Sweeney fans come to actor's defense after Hollywood producer said she 'isn't pretty and can't act'
I'll be sleeping with my friends' wives until I die: I enjoy the power and a surprising amount slip me their number
I'm in HR - this is what makes me instantly reject a candidate during a job interview
REVEALED: 50 traumatized Israeli revelers have killed themselves since Hamas terror attack on Nova festival on October 7
'Gold Bar' Bob Menendez may blame alleged bribery crimes on his WIFE if Senator testifies at his trial, court filings show
Did Drake get a nose job and a BBL? Plastic surgeons weigh in as rap feud with former friend Rick Ross gets ugly and personal
Four 'gun smugglers' are arrested over Canada's biggest-ever $20M gold heist at Toronto Airport after secret year-long investigation dubbed 'Project 24K'
Trump's trial will electrify the world. But his enemies, so desperate to see him locked up, may have made a monumental tactical blunder, writes ANDREW NEIL
Ex-Republican Michigan house speaker Lee Chatfield and his wife are charged with embezzlement and misusing political funds: Alleged financial crimes were only uncovered while cops probed claims he molested his sister-in-law
Arrest warrant is issued for Democratic Pennsylvania state Rep. Kevin Boyle 'for violating restraining order by texting his estranged wife'
America's Amish explosion: Why the buggy-riding population is DOUBLING every 20 years and could hit one million this century in major boost for Republican party
Tragic twist for Terrance the octopus: Oklahoma family whose lives were thrown upside down when their pet had 50 babies face a new challenge
Appalling moment student slaps female teacher twice across the face while hurling profanities including 'b****' and 'n*****' at high school in North Carolina - but DA says it's only a misdemeanor
NYPD officers pack courtroom for arraignment of suspect accused of shooting dead Jonathan Diller - after Trump attended slain cop's wake
Mystery deepens as Riley Strain's mom reveals the haunting text he sent on the night he vanished from a Nashville bar - and why she believes it's the key to him being found dead in a river
OJ Simpson paid Gambino gangsters to kill ex-wife Nicole Brown because he was jealous of her 'sleeping around', claims witness who mobsters kept silent for 30 years by sticking a gun in his mouth and threatening to murder him and his family
Former Florida Governor Bob Graham dies aged 87: Three-term Democrat senator is remembered as 'devoted person in public service'
Manhunt for armed and dangerous murder suspect on the loose in Texas: Suspect runs over elderly homeowner in a stolen Mustang before ditching car and making a break for it on foot
Over 1,000 African migrants descend on New York City Hall to protest against 'anti-blackness' and plead for help getting work permits
Free Cone Day is back at Ben & Jerry's - here's how to get your hands on the retailer's ice cream without paying a cent
Disheveled mugshot emerges of teacher, 45, found naked in back of car with male student, 17, as she is held on $25,000 bond after cheating on her Department of Defense chief husband
Florida detectives give eerie update on husband of beloved mom seen being abducted in broad daylight before she was found dead in her burnt out car - and reveal his murky links to local cop

Red tide - also known as Karenia brevis - has already begun to affect Florida
It could affect Texas as it continues to move up from the Gulf of Mexico
The harmful algae, which grows in salt water, creates toxins that can kill thousands of fish
It can also cause respiratory and skin irritation in humans and can cause pets to become sick if they ingest poisoned fish

Published: 13:03 EDT, 24 December 2022 | Updated: 13:27 EDT, 24 December 2022

e-mail

286

View
comments

A toxic algae breakout has occurred along the Florida coastline, which can have dire affects on humans and animals.

Red tide - also known as Karenia brevis - has already begun to affect Florida shores and could affect Texas as it continues to move up from the Gulf of Mexico.

The harmful algae, which grows in salt water, creates toxins that can kill thousands of fish and create respiratory illness in fish, dolphins, turtles, manatees and birds.

It can also irritate humans and pets by causing respiratory issues, such as coughing and sneezing, eye irritation, and skin conditions. It can also sicken pets who have ingested a dead fish infected with the toxin.

Thousands of pounds of dead fish have washed up on Florida shores (pictured). The harmful algae can also cause respiratory and skin irritation in humans and can cause pets to become sick if they ingest poisoned fish

A ride tide outbreak - also known as Karenia brevis - has breeched the Florida shorelines near St. Petersburg with several spots showing low to medium outbreaks and a few high concentration spots

The Florida Department of Health encourages residents to avoid swimming at beaches that have detected ride tide.

Over the weekend, St. Pete Beach - near St. Petersburg - cleaned up 1,500 pounds of dead fish from the beach, according to Fox News.

On Friday, the shore in Pass-a-Grille - where St. Pete Beach is near - was covered in dead fish as beachgoers enjoyed their holiday weekend. Several were coughing, according to Fox 13, and one beachgoer Sharon Greenfield was using a scarf as a mask.

Despite couching, Greenfield and her family 'decided we’d weather it, red tide or no.'

'We love the beach plain and simple. Sun, sand and water…can’t beat it,' she told Fox 13.

A satellite map of the outbreak shows most of the outbreak near St. Petersburg, with five spots showing a high concentration of ride tide. There is also several spots that have a low to medium concentration near the area, according to NOAA.

However, concentration areas can change day-to-day 'based on the winds and currents,' Pinellas County Spokesperson Tony Fabrizio told Fox News.

'We’re hopeful that the cold fronts and stronger winds that we’re going to start seeing as soon as this weekend will eventually disperse the bloom, but of course there are no guarantees,' Fabrizio said.

The red tide did not stop beachgoers from enjoying their afternoon on Friday, with some wearing masks to stop their coughing

The outbreak began back in October and has appeared in Sarasota County and in Fort De Soto Park in Pinellas County, according to Fox 13.

Ride tide can last for several weeks to a year in Florida and can change the water's color to red. It can also reoccur in areas, according to NOAA.

Governor Ron DeSantis recently announced he allocated $14million in the state's budget to research red tide and its community impact.

'With our investment, my administration has dedicated $40 million to address red tide in our communities since 2019 – a record level of support!' he wrote on Twitter.

Texas Florida Mexico