Health authorities in Costa Rica warn of red tide affecting some areas of the Pacific Coast, Guanacaste, the Nicoya Peninsula and the Central Pacific.
Red tide is caused by large concentrations of some species of algae. Red tide can be easily spotted due to the presence of red-brownish spots in coastal waters, this algal bloom also deplete oxygen in the waters and release certain toxins which would cause the death of some fish and also illness in humans.
¨People should NOT get in the ocean if they see reddish spots, if there is a bad odor or there is presence of foam or dead fish¨, warned the Costa Rican Fisheries and Aquaculture Institute (Incopesca).
It is also important to avoid eating fish and shellfish that comes from regions affected by red tide during this period of time. Consuming shellfish contaminated by red tide toxins can cause ¨paralytic shellfish poisoning¨, a disruption of nerve function that can lead to paralysis and in extreme cases may result in death by asphyxiation by respiratory paralysis. Eating contaminated fish could cause diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and cramps.
The Costa Rican Ministry of Health calls on any person that has recently consumed these products and has experienced any of the mentioned symptoms to visit a physician at any of the local clinics.
Red tide can be caused by different events including the temperature of the ocean water, low salinity, high nutrient content, among other factors. The effects of climate change have also increased the frequency of this phenomenon mainly due to the acidity of the ocean.
Red tide is caused by large concentrations of some species of algae. Red tide can be easily spotted due to the presence of red-brownish spots in coastal waters, this algal bloom also deplete oxygen in the waters and release certain toxins which would cause the death of some fish and also illness in humans.
¨People should NOT get in the ocean if they see reddish spots, if there is a bad odor or there is presence of foam or dead fish¨, warned the Costa Rican Fisheries and Aquaculture Institute (Incopesca).
It is also important to avoid eating fish and shellfish that comes from regions affected by red tide during this period of time. Consuming shellfish contaminated by red tide toxins can cause ¨paralytic shellfish poisoning¨, a disruption of nerve function that can lead to paralysis and in extreme cases may result in death by asphyxiation by respiratory paralysis. Eating contaminated fish could cause diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and cramps.
The Costa Rican Ministry of Health calls on any person that has recently consumed these products and has experienced any of the mentioned symptoms to visit a physician at any of the local clinics.
Red tide can be caused by different events including the temperature of the ocean water, low salinity, high nutrient content, among other factors. The effects of climate change have also increased the frequency of this phenomenon mainly due to the acidity of the ocean.
