SIESTA KEY, Fla. (WFLA) — Some beachgoers in Sarasota County are coping with scratchy throats, hassle respiratory and the odor of lifeless fish attributable to crimson tide.
The Florida Division of Well being first alerted the public about elevated levels of red tide in Sarasota County in mid-October.
“It’s actually unhappy to see all of the fish dying,” William Howell mentioned. “By no means skilled it this dangerous. You recognize, with the crimson tide. It’s like an itch in your throat whenever you’re strolling down the seaside nevertheless it’s nonetheless stunning.”
Michael Gross is the director of Operations for the Venice Pier Group that runs the concessions stand at Siesta Key Seashore.
“Lot of out-of-towners,” he mentioned, “they’re going to go to the seaside regardless however not staying as lengthy. Definitely, it’s not splendid for a vacation weekend.”
Visiting from Massachusetts, Carolyn Lindsey mentioned she might really feel the consequences of crimson tide all through her trip for the vacation weekend.
“The opposite day once we had been on the seaside lot of individuals coughing, we began coughing,” Lindsey mentioned. “But it surely didn’t cease us from having fun with the solar down right here.”
The Florida Division of Well being collected its weekly water samples in any respect 16 seashores in Sarasota County on Monday morning. An replace on the crimson tide ranges is anticipated by Thursday.
Gross mentioned he’s hopeful circumstances will proceed to enhance as extra individuals journey to the favored vacation spot in December.
“Higher as we speak,” Gross mentioned. “The wind change actually helped. We’re noticing it’s clearing up loads from the place it was yesterday.”
Well being officers say individuals with continual respiratory points, equivalent to bronchial asthma, ought to think about staying away from seashores with excessive ranges of crimson tide.
In case your signs don’t get higher after leaving the seaside, you’re suggested to contact your physician for a check-up.
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