Commonly called a red tide, the bloom of the organism Gymnodinium breve is a natural phenomenon caused when the single-cell organisms flourish in unusual numbers during warm conditions in the Gulf of Mexico.
Red tide can cause fish to die and can produce toxins that contaminate mussels, clams and oysters.
Ocean spray blown by sea breezes near red tides can carry toxins and irritants ashore, where they can cause respiratory, nose, throat and eye irritation in humans. Extreme cases of irritation may include breathing difficulty, tingling or numbness of the mouth or extremities. Anyone experiencing such reactions is advised to leave the area until the red tide subsides. TDH has closed all coastal waters in the area to the taking of clams, mussels and oysters. Symptoms of NSP are nausea, dizziness, tingling sensations in the extremities, dilated pupils and alternately hot and cold body temperatures.