Last week, the Galveston County Health District (GCHD) issued a red tide warning for local beaches after several visitors and residents became ill. As of writing, the advisory is still ongoing.
Red tide is a term used for a specific type of harmful algae that forms along coastal waters. It produces airborne toxins that can cause respiratory issues for people who come in contact with the algae; it is also toxic to fish.
When issuing the warning, Dr. Philip Keiser, GCHD’s Chief Executive Officer, said, “We encourage residents and visitors to pay attention to how they are feeling, particularly those with asthma or other respiratory conditions. If you begin experiencing coughing, throat irritation or difficulty breathing, leave the affected area and move indoors.”
Initial reports from health officials indicated that numerous dead fish had been reported at Galveston County beaches, which was one of the first signs of red tide’s presence.
Then, locals began reporting respiratory problems for themselves and their pets. Angela Derringer, a resident of Galveston, spoke with Houston Public Media about her experience.
She was walking her dog, Coco, at a nearby beach when Coco began sneezing frequently. Derringer then noticed over a dozen dead fish along the shoreline.
As she recalled to Houston Public Media, “Just as far as you could see, there were fish just lining the shore. That’s when I grabbed my phone and I’m like, ‘What’s going on?’ and that’s when I connected [Coco] sneezing to the red tide and the fish.”
Since then, moderate to high concentrations of red tide have been found in water samples collected by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) from Crystal Beach, Bolivar Peninsula, and Galveston Island.
Residents and visitors are being advised to steer clear of dead fish and any other marine life, and to not eat seafood unless it’s been provided by licensed, inspected, and approved sources.
Red tide symptoms and what to watch out for
Red tide symptoms typically include sneezing, coughing, sore throat, eye irritation, skin irritation, and shortness of breath. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that airborne toxins released by the algae irritate the sinuses and can lead to serious health issues, like pneumonia, bronchitis, and asthma attacks.
Dr. Philip Keiser, who also serves as the Health District CEO and the local health authority for Galveston County, said, “We encourage residents and visitors to pay attention to how they are feeling, particularly those with asthma or other respiratory conditions. If you begin experiencing coughing, throat irritation or difficulty breathing, leave the affected area and move indoors.”
Since red tide was first detected, several individuals have reported experiencing uncontrollable sneezing and coughing fits after visiting Port Bolivar beaches, as well as those in Galveston.
If you’ve come into contact with the algae, thoroughly wash your skin and eyes as soon as you possibly can. Anti-itch creams and allergy medicines can help treat mild symptoms and irritation.
If you’re experiencing severe symptoms, seek medical attention right away.
This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.
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