Based on recommendations from the FHABTF Public Health Technical
Panel, this technical report updates and expands on the 1999 "White
Paper." It provides information for managers to develop localized
public health response plans to HABs.
When using this report please reference:
Abbott,G. M., J. H. Landsberg, A. R. Reich, K. A. Steidinger,
S.Ketchen, and C. Blackmore. 2009. Resource guide for public health
response to harmful algal blooms in Florida. Fish and Wildlife
Research Institute Technical Report TR-14. viii + 132 p.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PREFACE
ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF PARTICIPANTS
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Chapter 1 Background on Harmful Algal
Blooms
INTRODUCTION
BREVETOXINS AND NEUROTOXIC SHELLFISH POISONING
SAXITOXIN, PUFFER FISH POISONING, AND SAXITOXIN PUFFER FISH
POISONING
CIGUATOXIN AND CIGUATERA FISH POISONING
CYANOBACTERIA (BLUE-GREEN ALGAE) AND CYANOTOXIN POISONING
EMERGING HAB THREATS TO PUBLIC HEALTH
OTHER POTENTIAL HAB PROBLEMS
Chapter 2 Agency Responsibility Matrices
AQUATIC ANIMAL MORTALITY RESPONSIBILITY AND/OR AUTHORITY
ENVIRONMENTAL SAMPLING RESPONSIBILITY AND/OR AUTHORITY
SHELLFISH RESPONSIBILITY AND/OR AUTHORITY
HUMAN SURVEILLANCE RESPONSIBILITY AND/OR AUTHORITY
Chapter 3 Available Resources and Databases
ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING DATA
ANIMAL SURVEILLANCE DATA
HUMAN SURVEILLANCE DATA
PHYSIOGRAPHIC DATA
Chapter 4 Surveillance Networks and Systems
HUMAN SURVEILLANCE NETWORKS
SURVEILLANCE SYSTEMS USED BY FDOH
SURVEILLANCE SYSTEMS MAINTAINED BY OTHER AGENCIES
Chapter 5 Regulatory Guidelines
SHELLFISH
FISH
DRINKING WATER
RECREATIONAL WATERS
BLUE-GREEN ALGAE DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS
Chapter 6 Outreach Resources
INFORMATION, EDUCATION, AND COMMUNICATION
ONLINE RESOURCES
RESPONDING TO THE PRESS AND PUBLIC
DEVELOPING AN EFFECTIVE PRESS RELEASE
Chapter 7 Management Strategies for Mitigation of
HABs
MITIGATION ACTIVITIES
THE RED TIDE CONTROL AND MITIGATION PROGRAM
Chapter 8 Research Needs
FLORIDA HAB PUBLIC HEALTH RESEARCH NEEDS
PUBLIC HEALTH POLICY NEEDS, APPLICATIONS FOR HAB RESEARCH
IDENTIFIED RESOURCES
Chapter 9 Activity Flowcharts
DEFINITION
PURPOSE OF FLOWCHARTS
SAMPLE FLOWCHARTS
EXAMPLES OF CASE-HISTORY EVENT RESPONSES
Chapter 10 Literature Cited
Appendices
A Maps of Specific Areas of Florida at High Risk for HAB
Exposures (by County)
B Medical Fact Sheets and Case Definitions
C Human Health Threats from Harmful Algal Bloom Species
D Known or Potentially Toxic or Harmful Algal Species in
Florida
E Examples of Guidelines for Cyanobacteria in Recreational
Waters
F Bibliography of Significant Literature
G Glossary
H Acronyms and Abbreviations
I Agency Contacts, Scientists, and Managers
Figures
4.1 EpiCom Web site forums screen
4.2 Merlin®Web site home page
4.3 Food,Water and Vector-borne Surveillance System (FWVSS) Web
site home page
5.1 Example of an FWC-FWRI red tide status report map, Karenia
brevis counts
6.1 Example 1-Sample news release
6.2 Example 2-Sample health advisory/press release
6.3 Example 3-Sample health advisory/press release
6.4 Example 4-Sample health advisory/press release
6.5 Example 5-Frequently asked questions about Florida red tide
and their toxins
6.6 Example of red tide facts handout
9.1 Foodborne illness flowchart, Florida Department of Health
investigation methods
9.2 Flowchart for blue-green algae or cyanobacterial bloom
response for water treatment plants and water bodies in Florida
(recreational and other)
9.3 Neurotoxic shellfish poisoning event in 2006
9.4 Aerosol brevetoxin, red tide event
9.5 Shellfish poisoning event (general)
9.6 Saxitoxin puffer fish poisoning event 2002
Tables
5.1 Examples of drinking water guidelines for cyanotoxins
5.2 WHO guidelines for cyanobacterial exposure in recreational
waters
5.3 Examples of state guidelines
for cyanobacteria in recreational waters
A PDF version of FWC Fish and Wildlife
Research Institute Technical Report TR-14 is available for download
at
http://research.myfwc.com/publications/publication_info.asp?id=58596.
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