Wednesday October 10th, 2007
Comment on this Story | Read Comments
Okaloosa County has one piece of advice for coughing, watery-eyed beachgoers this week.
?Just go shopping or do something else,? said Kathy Newby, the county?s spokeswoman.
The county health department on Wednesday issued a health advisory for red tide on local beaches.
?We just like to get some knowledge out there about it,? Newby said.
?A lot of times, the tourists aren?t as familiar as the residents are.?
The advisory warned local and out-of-town beachgoers of the plant-like organism?s toxin, which can attack human lungs and eyes.
The symptoms usually disappear within 24 hours.
But individuals with severe chronic respiratory conditions such as emphysema or asthma should still avoid beach areas, the advisory warned.
And red tide?s toxin can also cause illness in humans by contaminating edible shellfish. Cooking does not eliminate the toxin.
Red tide may also cause fish kills, but it has caused no reported human fatalities.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Lt. Mark Hollinhead said he hadn?t heard any reports of local fish kills, but that they often occur this time of year.
Newby couldn?t predict how long the red tide would persist.
?Sometimes it?s hardly even noticeable, other times it gets really bad,? she said.
?It?s too early to tell.?
-----------------------------
TO LEARN MORE about red tide and read the latest beach updates, go to
http://myfwc.com and look under Quick Clicks.
TIPS FOR DEALING with red tide:
If you swim in an affected area, rinse off afterwards with clean, fresh water
Skin rashes and eye, nose and throat irritations should be temporary
If you live near a beach, consider closing windows and running a filtered air conditioner
Beach workers or fisherman can wear paper filter masks to limit exposure
SUFFERING from red tide and need medical advice? Call the Aquatics Toxins hotline at (888) 232-8635