(Bloomberg) -- Miami-Dade County has closed its northernmost beaches after tests came back positive for a toxic algae bloom, raising health concerns for bathers and posing a serious threat to South Florida's massive tourist economy.
Such blooms, known as red tide, can kill off marine life and cause breathing difficulties in humans. Long before Miami-Dade's announcement, the phenomenon had already been plaguing other Florida beach communities in recent months.
We are taking this proactive step to ensure our residents and visitors are not affected as we collect samples in other areas for state testing. We will continue to seek guidance from the state Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and take precautionary measures as needed. https://t.co/ZasZwQbPqP
It has also become a point of debate in Florida's critical elections for the U.S. House, Senate and governor, with candidates trading blows about whose environmental negligence is to blame. In a tweet Thursday, Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez said the measure was a "proactive step."
To contact the reporter on this story: Jonathan Levin in Miami at jlevin20@bloomberg.net
To contact the editors responsible for this story: Flynn McRoberts at fmcroberts1@bloomberg.net, Michael Smith
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