The Florida Department of Health in Collier County advises the public to be cautious due to the presence of red tide near Barefoot Beach and Marco Island.
According to the DOH, residents and visitors are advised to take precautions if near affected areas:
- Look for information signage/check water quality status.
- Do not swim or wade around in red tide. It can cause skin irritation, rashes and burning/sore eyes.
- Wash your skin and clothing with soap and fresh water if you had recent contact with red tide.
- Stay away from the affected location if you have chronic respiratory conditions.
- Residents living in beach areas are advised to close windows.
- Do not harvest or eat molluscan shellfish or stressed or dead fish. If caught alive and healthy, finish are safe to eat as long as they are filleted and the guts are thrown away. Rinse fillets with tap or bottled water.
- Red tide can cause illness and death of other animals, such as pets and livestock. Keep animals away and out of water. If your pet swims in water with red tide, wash them with soap and water as soon as possible.
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