FWC

Wildlife officials say there is no evidence that chronic wasting disease can be transmitted to humans or livestock, but federal health officials do not recommend eating meat from any sick animal.

Spring breakers may be exposed to another outbreak of red tide, which is being pushed by southerly winds to some of the region's most heavily visited beaches.

The FWC's daily sample map Friday showed that within the most recent eight days of sampling, blooms were detected near Punta Gorda Beach, Stump Pass, Little Gasparilla, Boca Grande and Blind Pass.

A health advisory is being issued for many Pinellas beaches this weekend, with onshore breezes expected to make many red tide conditions worse.

Gov. Ron DeSantis responded to criticism that he's failed to declare a state of emergency, saying the state dedicated funding source to fight red tide and blue-green algae last year.

They say the state is directing resources for the cleanup, including money and spotter planes. But they maintain that a state of emergency declaration — which some have called for — won't change anything.

Red tide is still being found in Tampa Bay and along the beaches from Pasco to Sarasota counties.

Fish kills continue to pollute the waters around downtown St. Petersburg and smaller die-offs were reported in Pasco, Hillsborough, Manatee and Sarasota counties.

St. Petersburg officials ask the governor for help in combating red tide. That comes on top of a similar request by one of the top Democratic contenders for governor.

A red tide bloom in the Gulf has reached the coast as far north as Pinellas, causing fish kills and respiratory irritations, according to state wildlife officials.