Several weeks have gone by and red tide continues to be felt in our coastal areas.
A health advisory is in effect, and health officials recommend limited exposure when conditions are at their worst.
A Walgreens across from Paradise Beach Park sold three surgical masks in a matter of minutes, in addition to two dozen in the past two days.
Officials said red tide is a tough phenomenon to predict.
“They're unsure what causes the bloom and what causes the bloom to go away. It is controlled by the winds and currents, so you really can't pinpoint where red tide is going to be. It can change within a day. It can be here days, weeks, months,” said Cynthia Leckey from the Brevard County Health Department.
The Florida Poison Control Center has a toll-free Aquatic Toxins Hotline for reporting red tide related illnesses. It’s (888) 232-8635.
Red tide is a microscopic alga that produces a toxin that can affect the central nervous system of fish. The neurotoxin is released into the air when fragile cells die or are smashed in the surf.
Red tide is usually not red in appearance, but is often more of a green-brown color. Sometimes it does not have a color.
Symptoms associated with exposure to red tide's neurotoxins can mimic the start of a cold, change with direction of the wind and affect different people in different ways.
Experts believe that some of the turtles and fish that have washed up in the surf were killed by red tide. Brevard County turtles are being tested for the organism.
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