Earlier this month, Brevard County Officials confirmed the occurrence of red tide in Florida after finding high levels of the algae, Karenia Brevis in water samples taken from Brevard Beaches. Of the nine water samples tested, samples from Paradise Beach and Indialantic recorded the highest concentrations of algae, approximately 10 million cells per liter. High concentrations of algae were also found between Jetty Park and south Melbourne Beach. The algal bloom is known to cause respiratory irritation, rashes, shellfish poisoning and fish kills. Several beachgoers between Cape Canaveral and Melbourne have complained of coughing, sneezing, and throat irritation since the onset of the red tide. 10,000 cells per liter of algae can cause respiratory symptoms in humans. Usually this type of algal bloom originates in the Gulf of Mexico and is pulled by the gulf stream around to the east coast of Florida. These algal blooms are common in the Gulf, but a similar red tide occurred in the Jacksonville area in 1999. Researchers believe that the red tide is often not associated with local pollution but high levels of nutrients can aid in their occurrence and spread.