Neurotoxic Shellfish Poisoning

Neurotoxic Shellfish Poisoning

Neurotoxic shellfish poisoning (NSP) is caused by eating shellfish contaminated with brevetoxins produced by the dinoflagellate K. brevis. Predominately an illness of the Western Hemisphere (southeastern coast of the United States, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Caribbean), there are also reports of the disease from New Zealand. NSP usually presents as a gastroenteritis accompanied by neurologic symptoms resembling mild ciguatera or paralytic shellfish poisoning, 30 minutes to 3 hours after a shellfish meal. A syndrome known as aerosolized red tide respiratory irritation (ARTRI) occurs when aerosolized brevetoxins are inhaled in sea spray. This has been reported in association with a red tide (K. brevis HAB) in Florida. It can induce bronchoconstriction and may cause acute, temporary respiratory discomfort in healthy people. People with asthma may experience more severe and prolonged respiratory effects.

Neurotoxic Shellfish Poisoning is monitored to prevent and control outbreaks.

In 2023, the number of Neurotoxic Shellfish Poisoning in Alachua County was compared to Florida at 10. The line graph shows change over time when there are at least three years of data.

Links:   Healthy People 2030 | Other Resource
Alachua County
Neurotoxic Shellfish Poisoning, Single Year
Click on county name or “Florida” in the legend to hide or show the county or state.
Neurotoxic Shellfish Poisoning, Single Year  
AlachuaFlorida
Data YearCountCount
2023010
202200
2021011
202000
201900
201801
201702
201600
201500
201400
201300
201200
201100
201000
200900
200800
200701
2006016
200504
200400
Florida
Neurotoxic Shellfish Poisoning, 2023
At least 51 counties must have rates greater than zero for a quartile map to be displayed.
Neurotoxic Shellfish Poisoning, 2023  
CountyCount
Florida10
Alachua0
Baker0
Bay0
Bradford0
Brevard0
Broward0
Calhoun0
Charlotte0
Citrus0
Clay0
Collier0
Columbia0
Miami-Dade0
DeSoto0
Dixie0
Duval0
Escambia0
Flagler0
Franklin0
Gadsden0
Gilchrist0
Glades0
Gulf0
Hamilton0
Hardee0
Hendry0
Hernando0
Highlands0
Hillsborough0
Holmes0
Indian River0
Jackson0
Jefferson0
Lafayette0
Lake0
Lee1
Leon0
Levy0
Liberty0
Madison0
Manatee1
Marion0
Martin0
Monroe0
Nassau0
Okaloosa0
Okeechobee0
Orange2
Osceola0
Palm Beach0
Pasco4
Pinellas2
Polk0
Putnam0
St. Johns0
St. Lucie0
Santa Rosa0
Sarasota0
Seminole0
Sumter0
Suwannee0
Taylor0
Union0
Volusia0
Wakulla0
Walton0
Washington0
2/10/2025 1:25:02 PM

Data Note(s)

Data Source: Florida Department of Health, Bureau of Epidemiology

  • Merlin Code 98800
  • This disease became reportable on July 5, 1999. The first full year of data collection is 2000. Cases occurring in previous years may have been retrospectively identified after becoming reportable. This disease does not have a probable case classification. Counts and rates include confirmed cases of Neurotoxic Shellfish Poisoning.
  • Data presented here are from Merlin, Florida's web-based reportable disease surveillance system. Note that any data prior to 1992 are not maintained in Merlin and should be interpreted with caution.
  • Data in this report are aggregated by the date the case was reported to the Bureau of Epidemiology, Florida Department of Health. Cases are assigned to Florida counties based on the county of residence at the time of the disease identification, regardless of where they became ill or were hospitalized, diagnosed, or exposed.
  • Reports for reportable disease data are produced weekly, monthly, and annually. To access these reports, visit Surveillance Publications. More detailed information on interpreting data can be found in the introduction section of the annual reports. For questions, please contact the Bureau of Epidemiology at (850) 245-4401.
  • This is primary, quantitative data.
  • Chart will display if there are at least three years of data.
  • Multi-year counts are a sum of the selected years, not an average.
  • Quartiles are calculated when data are available for at least 51 counties.