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The 18th International Conference on Harmful Algae (ICHA), From ecosystems to socio-ecosystems, 21-26 October 2018, Nantes, France.-- 1 page, Human respiratory irritation associated with HABs was first documented by Taylor (1917) during his observations of Karenia brevis (formerly Gymnodinium breve) blooms in the west coast of Florida, also causing massive fish mortalities. Later, Woodcock (1948) provided the first evidences of the link between respiratory symptoms and aerosolized compounds produced by the dinoflagellate. In the last 30 years, concerted well-funded interdisciplinary and multi-agency research has been intensively conducted to understand K. brevis blooms (also know as Florida red tides) dynamics, and the exposure and health effects of aerosolized toxins (brevetoxins). Advances include early warning systems monitoring the presence of Karenia brevis and its bloom dynamics (combining in situ sampling, autonomous vehicles, remote sensing), a detailed knowledge on the involved toxins (mainly brevetoxins PbTx-2 and PbTx-3 in both water and aerosols) and their mode of action, the relevance of meteorology factors in the transport of aerosolized toxins, and a better understanding of the human exposures and health effects. At the same time, substantial work has gone into prevention of this exposure and health effects including community and expert education, beach warnings and involving Poison Control Centers. In the last 20 years, a new environmental and human health threat seems to be emerging in temperate latitudes, and specially in Mediterranean coasts. Blooms of the marine benthic dinoflagellate genus Ostreopsis are linked to cutaneous and/or respiratory problems on beach goers and people that work or inhabit in areas where this species thrives, and were in contact with benthic or planktonic toxic cells and/or exposed for certain hours to aerosols. Although the impacts are mild by now, alarm has been raised because this species produces palytoxins (PLTX) and analogues, being PLTX potent biotoxins associated to fatal seafood borne intoxications in the tropics. Whether those toxins are at the origin of cutaneous and respiratory health problems is still unknown. Before Ostreopsis could constitute a bigger problem, multidisciplinary investigation has been and it is conducted nowadays by different research teams and a communication network has been implemented with environmental and public health authorities in the affected countries. In this presentation we will compare the available information about the harmful benthic (Ostreopsis spp.) and planktonic (Karenia brevis) blooms, with the aim of identifying gaps in knowledge and further steps to progress and design appropriate human health prevention plans. Analogous comparison will also be done concerning freshwater toxic cyanobacteria blooms causing cutaneous and respiratory irritative symptoms

17th International Conference on Harmful Algae (ICHA), 9-14 October 2016, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil.-- 1 page, Lang and Rayner's concept of "Ecological Public Health" attempts to integrate the material, biological, social, and cultural aspects of public health. Furthermore, this perspective has broadened in scope from the local, regional and national to encompass a more planetary view of the interactions between the health of the environment and humans. These concepts and challenges can be illustrated in the complex interactions between Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs), climate change, and human health. HABs have existed for millennia, impacting on human health usually through exposure to the HAB biotoxins bio-accumulated and transmitted through the food chain. More recently, with increasing direct and indirect anthropogenic pressures and drivers, HAB occurrence could expand temporally and geographically. The future trends of HABs are unclear in a world of climate and other environmental change, yet the potential risk of exposure and health impacts for humans and other organisms makes this an urgent area for research. In particular, given the historically narrow focus of public health with regards to both HABs and climate change, a new approach is needed. Taking an ecological public health approach would mean greater integration and collaboration not only between different scientific disciplines, but also between the different groups and entities involved in all aspects of HABs. Recent examples of these kinds of efforts can be seen with collaborations around Ciguatera, Florida red tide, the One Health Harmful Algal Bloom System (OHHABS), Ostreopsis, and the recently launched GlobalHAB Programme. Ecological public health provides both an opportunity and a challenge for seeking a more truly interdisciplinary collaboration and a wider vision of the interconnections between HABs, climate change, human behavior, and the future health of both humans and the planet