July 14 Red Tide Update

The red tide has spread is k.brevis is now at moderate levels in Red Fish Pass. For those who don%26#39;t know the islands, Redfish Pass is off the north end of Captiva Island - by South Seas Resort. Moderate levels have fish kills and respitory problems associated with it. the area of %26#39;moderate%26#39; is currently small, but anyone with breathing problems should be aware of the bloom. I%26#39;mnot really clear on the mechanism - but some of the toxins created by red tide get in the air on water molcules and that%26#39;s how breathing problems happen.

The bloom is very erratic in concentration from Boca Grande to Marco Island.

Please go to:

research.myfwc.com/features/view_article.asp鈥?/a>

Click on the link to Southwest Florida July 14, 2006 for details about locations and readings.

On this site you will find the following important numbers:

Hotlines and Reporting Sites for Effects on Humans

Marine and Freshwater Toxins Hotline: (888) 232-8635 (toll-free)

The Marine and Freshwater Toxins Hotline is available for reporting harmful effects associated with a marine or estuarine event. Callers are connected to the Florida Poison Information Center in Miami, which operates 24 hours a day, every day. The center is staffed by health care professionals who will record the caller鈥檚 information and assist with health and safety concerns. The Florida Department of Health (DOH) encourages people who have experienced harmful effects associated with exposure to aquatic toxins or harmful algae to call the hotline.

Medical Effects Relating to Humans:

Florida Department of Health, Division of Environmental Health, Aquatic Toxins Program, (850) 245-4299

County health departments

Dr. Lora Fleming, University of Miami School of Medicine, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, http://www.rsmas.miami.edu/groups/niehs

July 14 Red Tide Update

Thanks for the update.

I got a confirmation letter on our condo today and it had the condo unit phone # so I picked up the phone and the current person there gave me a good report. Said they had had a lot of rain but the red tide was not bad. I think I am going to call back on Monday as this guy is checking out Tuesday a.m. to check on it again !