The victims died after picking up infected shellfish and taking it home to eat. Red tide is an explosive growth of dinoflagellates, a form of plankton that produces a toxin that contaminates shellfish. Dangerous to sea life and humans, it creates a red film over the surface of the water and contaminates oysters, clams, mussels, algae and some octopus but does not affect fish, lobster or shrimp. He said at least 110 sea turtles and six dolphins have also been killed by the red tide and washed up on beaches. Hotels and restaurants along Guerrero's coast were abiding by emergency regulations imposed since the first death on Oct. 31 and Arjona stressed that tourists at Acapulco and other beach resorts on the coastline were not at risk.
Officials expect the red tide to break up soon as a strong current moves into the area.
The last time the disease hit Guerrero's coastline was in 1990 but there were no deaths.