One of America's most popular tourist destination, Miami-Dade has closed its beaches owing to red tide. The beaches north of the Haulover inlet was closed for lab test after the presence of red tide was confirmed. Reportedly toxic algae reached the beach from Gulf waters to the Atlantic. Beachgoers complained of itchy eyes, coughing and other symptoms related to the red tide.

According to a statement issued by Mayor Carlos Gimenez on Monday, tests have confirmed "medium concentration" of algae linked to red tide off Haulover Park. tests off Miami Beach and Key Biscayne were “in the very low to low range.” Haulover Inlet is in North Miami-Dade, around 10800 Collins Ave., north of Bal Harbour.

According to Miami Herald, dead fish were found littered on a Palm Beach County beach on Wednesday. State biologists are now investigating the fish. As the red tide was spread along Florida's Atlantic coast, County beaches have been closed since the weekend.

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As per scientists' claims, it first appeared in the Gulf of Mexico off Sarasota a year ago. The toxics could have swept into the Gulf's Loop Current which connects to the Florida Current and flows along the Atlantic coast. While some county beaches are close, picnic areas of the beaches remain open. A date for the reopening of the beaches has not been decided yet.

National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration's satellites in August and September had detected evidence of the algae west of the remote Marquesas Islands near the Dry Tortugas. It is now suspected that the algae could have flowed south of the Keys.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 04, 2018 06:19 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).