A toxic algae bloom has led to the closure water at nine beaches across south Mississippi and warnings about consuming seafood from the areas.
The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality said water at five beaches in Harrison County and four in Hancock County are closed after testing detected the presence of a blue-green Harmful Algae Bloom.
The closed beaches are:
Harrison County
Pass Christian West Beach
Pass Christian Central Beach
Pass Christian East Beach
Long Beach
Gulfport Central Beach
Hancock County
Lakeshore Beach
Buccaneer State Park Beach
Waveland Beach
Bay St. Louis Beach
Officials are advising people, and their pets, to avoid contact with the water and to not eat seafood or fish that comes from the affected areas.
The sand portion of the beach remains open.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, HABs are the rapid growth of algae that can look like foam or scum on top of the water. It comes in many colors and often occurs in warm fresh, marine or brackish waters.
The algae blooms can cause sickness in people and animals, including rashes, stomach cramps, nausea, diarrhea and vomiting.
SOURCE: Al.com