Health officials: Don’t swim, boat in Lake Ivanhoe

ORLANDO, Fla. — Now is not the best time to launch your boat or dip your toes into Lake Ivanhoe.

Officials with the Florida Department of Health in Orange County issued a health warning for the lake on Tuesday after blue-green algae was detected in the lake by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

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Blue-green algae blooms can impact human health and ecosystems, including fish and other aquatic animals.

People are advised to take the following precautions in and around the lake:

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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.

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

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