Red tide impacts Lee County

FORT MYERS, Fla. — Red tide is blooming in the Gulf of Mexico, and it’s harming marine life in and around Lee County.

This high toxicity that lingers from the effects of Hurricane Matthew earlier this month is causing sickness and death for fish and other species that live in the water. It has less severe but still troublesome effects of many people, as it can cause coughing, sneezing, itchy throat for those who have respiratory problems.

An itchiness can develop for those who swim in red-tide infested water.

Fish kills have taken place in Collier County, where high levels of red tide have been reported. A sea turtle believed to be suffering from red tide exposure came ashore Saturday on North Captiva.