Heading to beach for Memorial Day weekend? Check water quality in Melbourne, Brevard County
If your Memorial Day plans include some time at the beach, we've got you covered — and not just with sunscreen.
Going to the beach is no fun if it's covered with stinky seaweed or if toxic fumes from red tide permeate the air.
And swimming with enteric bacteria — think fecal pollution — is just plain gross.
We've gathered the latest test results and health advisories from the Florida Department of Health and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to help you stay safe before you head out for the long weekend.
Is it safe to swim or fish in Titusville, Cocoa, Melbourne; Brevard County?
This map shows whether any red tide or blue-green algae have been reported.
Weekly data on beach water quality is from the Florida Department of Health. Red tide and algal bloom data are from FWC. Red tide shows conditions from last seven days and algal bloom is from the last 90 days.
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Have any health advisories been issued for beaches in Titusville, Cocoa, Melbourne; Brevard County?
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What is enteric bacteria and what are the symptoms if you come into contact with them?
Enterococci are enteric bacteria which normally inhabit the intestinal tract of people and animals. It's an indication of fecal pollution. It may come from stormwater runoff, pets, wildlife or human sewage.
They can be ingested while swimming or enter the skin through a cut or sore.
Symptoms include upset stomach, diarrhea, eye irritation and skin rashes.
What are blue-green algae and what are symptoms if you inhale toxins?
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Blue-green algae are types of bacteria called cyanobacteria. They can be blue, bright green, brown or red, and can have a strong odor similar to rotting plants, according to the Florida Department of Health.
If people or animals splash in the water or if boats create wakes, the algae cells can be broken apart, and the cyanotoxins can be released into the air. The toxins mix with water droplets and spray, causing people and animals to potentially inhale the toxin.
Water from areas with blue-green algae can make animals and people sick. These toxins can't pass through your skin easily so swallowing large amounts of contaminated water is what causes illness.
For some people, exposure to blue-green algae can cause rashes, stomach cramps, nausea, diarrhea and vomiting. People who are very sensitive to smells can have respiratory irritation. Sometimes, high exposures of toxin can affect the liver and nervous system.
What is red tide and what are symptoms if you come into contact with it?
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Karenia brevis is a naturally occurring, single-celled organism belonging to a group of algae called dinoflagellates.
Red tide can cause coughing and sneezing and can irritate your eyes, nose and throat. Reactions to red tide can be worse for people with asthma, emphysema, bronchitis or any chronic lung disease, according to the Florida Department of Health.
Swimming in or around red tide can cause skin irritation, rashes and burning and sore eyes. If you come into contact with red tide, wash off with soap and water, especially if your skin is easily irritated.
Red tide toxins also can accumulate in filter-feeders such as oysters and clams, which can lead to neurotoxic shellfish poisoning in people who consume contaminated shellfish.
Webcams to see if there is algae on beaches Titusville, Cocoa, Melbourne; Brevard County
Best Western Cocoa Beach surf webcam
Is there sargassum on the beach? Check latest conditions with these webcams
Sargassum is a type of large brown seaweed — which actually is a type of algae — that floats in masses before it washes up on beaches. These large floating clumps, patches, rafts, or "blobs" can stretch for miles across the ocean.
The rafts provide habitats for crab, shrimp, sea turtles and fish.
Tiny organisms that live in sargassum — like larvae of jellyfish — may irritate skin if you come into contact with it, according to the Florida Department of Health.
"Exposure to decomposing seaweed can result in difficulty breathing, headaches, nausea, and skin eruptions called 'swimmers’ dermatitis,'” according to the Centers for Disease Control.
As sargassum rots, it releases hydrogen sulfide, which can be irritating. Seek medical attention if you experience respiratory problems, the CDC said.
If you do touch or swim with sargassum, the CDC advised rinsing off with "copious amounts of fresh water."
Florida beach live webcams: See surf, waves, sargassum conditions around the Sunshine State
Use these webcams to see the crowds, surf and sargassum where you're going.
This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Titusville, Florida, water quality. Test results bacteria, red tide
