Blue-green algae detected in Orlando lake; what to do if you encounter it

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — The Florida Department of Health in Orange County issued a health caution alert for the presence of blue-green algae in Lake Sue on Monday.

Officials said the algae was detected in a sample taken by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection on March 21.

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The alert means that the public should exercise caution in and around Lake Sue.

The health department said residents and visitors are advised to take the following precautions:

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• You should not drink, swim, wade, use personal watercraft, water ski or boat in waters where there is a visible bloom.
• Avoid getting water in your eyes, nose, or mouth.
• You should keep pets and livestock away from the waters in this location.
• 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 fish well.
• You should not eat shellfish from this location.

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Report symptoms from exposure to a harmful algal bloom or any aquatic toxin to the Florida Poison Information Center. Call 1-800-222-1222 to speak to a poison specialist immediately.

Contact your veterinarian if you believe your pet has become ill after consuming or having contact with blue-green algae-contaminated water.

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If you have other health questions or concerns about blue-green algae blooms, please call the Florida Department of Health in Orange County Algal Bloom Information Line at 407-723-5216.

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