Red tide levels persist at local beaches

Low to medium levels of red tide continue to persist at multiple local beaches.

The Florida Department of Health in Sarasota County reports that results from samples taken Monday show red tide continues to be present at North Lido Beach, Lido Casino Beach, South lido Beach, Siesta Key Beach, Turtle Beach, Nokomis Beach, North Jetty Beach, Venice Beach, Service Club Beach, Venice Fishing Pier, Brohard Beach, Casperson Beach, Manasota Key Beach and Blind Pass Beach.

See the current red tide status in Sarasota, Manatee counties

On Wednesday, Longboat Key Beach and Bird Key Park were added to the advisory with low to medium levels of red tide present.

Symptoms of exposure to red tide include irritation of the eyes, nose and throat. Some people may experience more serious symptoms such as respiratory discomfort.

Generally, symptoms subside when a person leaves the beach or goes indoors.

The FDOH makes the following recommendations:

• Do not swim around dead fish.
• If you have chronic respiratory problems, consider staying away from the beach as red tide can affect your breathing.
• Do not harvest or eat molluscan shellfish and distressed or dead fish. 
• Keep pets away from water, sea foam and dead sea life.
• Residents living in beach areas who experience respiratory symptoms are advised to close windows and run the air conditioner.
• If outdoors, residents may choose to wear paper filter masks, especially if onshore winds are blowing.