The Hillsborough County Health Department is warning residents about a red tide bloom in lower and middle Tampa Bay.

It is in the area where Piney Point discharged about 215 million gallons of toxic water.

In a news release, health officials singled out areas near Moody Point, Manbirtee Key, Camp Key and Little Cockroach Island.

Some people may have mild and short-lived respiratory symptoms such as eye, nose and throat irritation similar to cold symptoms. Some individuals with breathing problems such as asthma might experience more severe symptoms.

Health officials recommend that people experiencing these symptoms stay away from beach areas or go into an air-conditioned space. If symptoms do not subside.

DOH-Hillsborough recommends that you:

• Do not swim around dead fish at this location.
• If you have chronic respiratory problems, be careful and consider staying away from this location as red tide can affect your breathing.
• Do not harvest or eat molluscan shellfish from this location.
• Do not harvest or eat distressed or dead fish from this location.
• Rinse fillets from healthy fish with tap or bottled water. Throw out guts.
• Keep pets and livestock away from water, sea foam and dead sea life.

The agency hasn’t stated if the bloom is connected to Piney Point.