DUVAL COUNTY, Fla. \u2013 On a clear afternoon near Fort George, Nancy Frashuer sits by the water. It is the kind of view she says has kept her in the area for decades.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a beautiful location,\u201d Frashuer said. \u201cThe sunrise is magnificent and the moon rise is too.\u201d<\/p>\n
Frashuer has lived near Fort George Inlet for 26 years, and she told News4JAX the water has always been a non-negotiable part of her life.<\/p>\n
\u201cWater is just soothing to me,\u201d she said. \u201cIt\u2019s part of life. It\u2019s an important part.\u201d<\/p>\n
This week, though, she said she\u2019s being cautious \u2014 after the Florida Department of Health issued red tide alerts for parts of Duval County near Fort George.<\/p>\n
The Florida Department of Health in Duval County (DOH-Duval) issued a red tide alert for Fort George Inlet after a water sample taken Aug. 6, the agency said.<\/p>\n
A second alert was issued for Kingsley Plantation, north of the Fort George River, after a water sample taken Aug. 11.<\/p>\n
Health officials say people should avoid swimming or wading in affected areas.<\/p>\n
What symptoms to watch for<\/p>\n
DOH-Duval says red tide can cause skin irritation, rashes, and burning or sore eyes, and it can be especially problematic for older adults, young children, people who are immunocompromised and people with chronic respiratory conditions.<\/p>\n
Frashuer said she\u2019s paying attention to the warnings.<\/p>\n
\u201cI just read about it and just see what the symptoms are and I stay out of it,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Jacksonville University Marine Research Institute researcher Gerry Pinto told News4JAX this year\u2019s detections are notable because they\u2019re showing up farther inland than typical.<\/p>\n
He said that may be in part to high temperatures and recent rainfall.<\/p>\n
Pinto said people may not see discolored water unless concentrations get much higher, but people should still be careful.<\/p>\n
\u201cGenerally, if there\u2019s any kind of wave action at all, the toxin can get aerosolized,\u201d Pinto said. \u201cThat\u2019s when people tend to notice it\u2026 it\u2019ll cause your eyes to water and your throat to feel sore.\u201d<\/p>\n
What officials recommend<\/p>\n
DOH-Duval is advising residents and visitors near affected areas to:<\/p>\n
Avoid\u00a0swimming or wading\u00a0in or around red tide<\/p>\n
Wash skin and clothing\u00a0with soap and fresh water if you have contact with affected water<\/p>\n
Stay away if you are more sensitive to irritation, including those with\u00a0respiratory conditions<\/p>\n
Do not harvest or eat\u00a0molluscan shellfish\u00a0from affected areas<\/p>\n
Do not eat\u00a0distressed or dead fish\u00a0from affected waters<\/p>\n
Keep\u00a0pets\u00a0away from affected water and dead marine life<\/p>\n
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) said over the past week no fish kills or respiratory irritation suspected to be related to red tide were reported.<\/p>\n
FWC also said Duval County has seen very low to medium concentrations, and that bloom concentrations were present for the first time this season in two samples from Duval County.<\/p>\n
How to track red tide near you<\/p>\n