Health Alert issued after red tide detected at several Sarasota County beaches, including Venice Beach
The Florida Department of Health in Sarasota County (DOH-Sarasota) said there are elevated levels of red tide detected on beaches in the area.
Due to elevated counts of red tide from Monday's beach water samples, the DOH-Sarasota said it will post signage at several beaches to advise the public that red tide is present.
The following beaches have elevated red tide levels:
- Venice Beach
- Service Club Park
- Venice Fishing Pier
- Brohard Beach
- Caspersen Beach
- Manasota Key Beach
- Blind Pass
According to the DOH-Sarasota, red tide can cause some people to have mild and short-lived respiratory symptoms such as eye, nose and throat irritation. Symptoms can feel like a common cold or seasonal allergies. DOH-Sarasota said people with existing breathing problems, like asthma, might experience more severe effects.