ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — The Florida Department of Health in Orange County has issued a health alert for blue-green algae toxins found in two local lakes.
State health officials say the harmful algae was found in the center of Lake Gatlin and the southeastern shore of Lake Highland. The public is advised to be cautious in these areas. Below are precautions advised by the health department.
- Do not drink, swim, wade, use personal watercrafts or come into contact with waters where there is a visible bloom.
- Wash your skin and clothing with soap and water if you have any contact with algae or water that is discolored or smells unpleasant.
- Keep pets and livestock away from the area to avoid any contact with water. Pets and livestock should use an alternative source of water when algae blooms are present.
- Do not cook or clean dishes with water contaminated by algae blooms. Officials warn that boiling the water will not eliminate toxins.
- Eating fillets from healthy fish caught in freshwater lakes experiencing blooms is safe. Rinse fish fillets with tap or bottled water, throw out the guts, and cook the fish thoroughly.
- Do not eat shellfish in waters with algae blooms.
The alert is in response to water samples taken on March 5 and 6.
The health department says blue-green algae are common in Florida’s freshwater environments. It can be harmful to humans and pets, as well as ecosystems. Sensitive people may still be at risk even at low concentrations and should avoid exposure.
Visit Protecting Florida Together to learn more about blue-green algae.
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