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Duval County Health Department
Issues a "Red Tide" Health Advisory
September 28, 2007
The Duval County Health Department has issued a health advisory for the Jacksonville Beaches. The Health Department has conducted testing at several Duval County Beaches and confirmed the presence of the Karenia brevis organism (“Red Tide”) off the coast of Huguenot Memorial Park.
A red-tide event may result in mild respiratory symptoms such as eye, nose, and throat irritation similar to cold or allergy symptoms. This may persist while on or near the shore. Health officials recommend that people experiencing these symptoms stay away from red tide affected beach areas. Once a person leaves the red tide area, the symptoms usually dissipate. People with severe or chronic respiratory conditions such as asthma or chronic lung disease are advised to avoid visiting the beach until this Red Tide event clears.
Precautions should be taken when preparing and cooking fish caught in local waters. Individuals should not eat locally-harvested molluscan shellfish such as oysters, clams, and coquinas when red tide may be present. Red tide may also cause fish kills.
Residents living in beach areas are advised to close windows and run the air conditioner (making sure that the A/C filter is maintained according to manufacturer's specifications). If outdoors, residents may choose to wear paper filter masks, especially if onshore winds are blowing. For people with long-term exposure, such as beach workers or fishermen, a more properly fitted mask is recommended.
Red-tide events do not produce urgent public health concerns but may result in mild and short-lived respiratory symptoms, such as eye, nose and throat irritation similar to cold symptoms.
The Florida Poison Control Information Center in Miami has a toll free 24/7 Aquatic Toxins Hotline for reporting of illnesses from exposure to Red Tide, or for more information on Red Tide and associated health effects call 1-888-232-8635.
If there are any questions regarding the health advisory in Duval County, please contact Dr. Aaron Hilliard at 253-2400.
Duval County Health Department
Main Office
515 W. 6th Street
Jacksonville, FL 32206
253-1000
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