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The toxic “Ostreopsis” algae are back in the Basque Country. Appeared in 2018 on the Atlantic coasts, they cause coughing, irritation or even gastric disorders, they also sometimes lead to the closure of beaches.
We do not necessarily see it with the naked eye, but it is present in the sea along the coast of the country Basque, as soon as the temperaturedyed 20°C. microalgae Ostreopsis turns out to be toxic, and you don’t need to swim to feel the effects, just be on the beach.”It was like allergiesexplains Damien Via, restaurateur by the sea. Puffy eyes, cough, I know Biarritz where there was also bleeding. It’s worrying.”
900 cases in two years
Among the symptoms identified, there are headaches, nausea, fever, diarrhea, muscle pain and difficulty breathing. In a report, the National Security Agency (Anses) recommends an arrangement of working time for professionals working near beaches and the wearing of protective equipment to dos samples. Over the past two years, 900 cases of poisoning caused byOstreopsis were identified on the coast Basque.
Among our sources
This opinion from the National Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety relating to the risks associated with ostreopsis
This recommendation page of the ANSES site
Field investigation
Non-exhaustive list