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Florida suffers worst red tide in over a decade
Holidaymakers in Florida are being warned to take care as the worst outbreak of red tide in over a decade is affecting its beaches.
Officials fear the toxic algae bloom, which is affecting at least 120 miles of beaches on the Gulf of Mexico, could last until 2019.
It has already killed thousands of fish, hundreds of sea turtles, and also pelicans and manatees.
It poses health risks to beachgoers, particularly those with severe or chronic respiratory conditions, such as emphysema or asthma.
The algae can cause rashes and eye irritation, nausea, vomiting and allergy-like symptoms in humans, while drinking water with the toxins can cause long-term liver disease.
Last month, Governor Rick Scott declared a state of emergency for seven counties after the algae blooms tainted the water in the wake of discharges from Lake Okeechobee.
This gave state environmental and tourism agencies more resources to respond to problems caused by the algae.
The red tide, which usually goes away in the spring, has persisted for nine months.
According to US reports, the worst bloom in 2006 lasted 17 months.
A spokesman for Visit Florida said: "While red tide is a naturally occurring phenomenon, this year it has particularly affected Southwest Florida’s beaches. We are working with our partners in the area and state agencies to mitigate the red tide’s effects, and we will be communicating with visitors just as soon as the beaches are clean and back to normal.
"For those who have already booked their vacations, it’s important to keep in mind that Southwest Florida has a number of other exciting opportunities to offer outside of the beach, including dining, shopping, entertainment, museums and more."
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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