Red tide warning lifted for South Padre

SOUTH PADRE ISLAND — Health officials have lifted a red tide advisory for people with respiratory conditions, three months after the warning was issued.

County officials said they will continue to monitor red tide reports but decided to lift the advisory based on the most recent information provided by the Cameron County Extension agent for Coastal and Marine Resources.

However, health officials continue to caution that sporadic dead fish can still pose a risk to pets.

“Although efforts have been made by Cameron County Parks Department to pick up the fish kill, visitors are cautioned to be mindful of their pets as there may be sporadic dead fish on the shores which can pose a risk to dogs,” the Cameron County Department of Health and Human Services said in a statement.

Red tide is associated with brevetoxin poisoning, which is characterized by a combination of gastrointestinal and neurologic signs and symptoms.

Dogs that have consumed dead fish can show signs and symptoms from 15 minutes to 18 hours after contact with the contaminated fish, the health department said.

The advisory was issued Oct. 22 after dead fish began washing ashore between Beach Access 4 and a point 13 miles north of Beach Access 6.

People with respiratory conditions, especially asthma, were being urged to avoid the area of red tide until further notice from the health department.

People exposed to the red tide “aerosol,” meaning the airborne toxin, can experience irritation of the eyes, nose and throat, as well as coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath, the health department said.