Blue-green algae reported in Caloosahatchee River, health warning issued

LEE COUNTY, Fla. (WINK) — The Florida Department of Health in Lee County has issued a health alert due to the reported presence of blue-green algae in the Caloosahatchee River-Sebastian Canal. 

On Friday, Lee DOH officials issued a health alert after a water sample collected on Thursday tested positive for the harmful toxin.

According to the DOH, blue-green algae are a type of bacteria that is common in Florida’s freshwater environments. A bloom occurs when rapid algal growth leads to an accumulation of individual cells that discolor the water and often form floating mats that emit unpleasant odors.

Caution is advised for the public in the area around the Caloosahatchee River-Sebastian Canal.

The Department of Health has provided a series of precautions one should consider when in the presence of blue-green algae.

• Do not drink, swim, wade, use personal watercraft, 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 discolored or water that smells unpleasant.

• Keep pets and livestock away from the area to avoid any contact with water. Waters with algae blooms are not safe for animals. 

• Pets and livestock should use an alternative water source when algae blooms are present.

• Do not cook or clean dishes with water contaminated by algae blooms. Boiling the water will not eliminate toxins.

• Eating fillets from healthy fish caught in freshwater lakes experiencing blooms is safe. Rinse the fish fillets with tap or bottled water, remove the guts, and cook the fish thoroughly.

• Do not eat shellfish in waters with algae blooms.

The Lee County Department of Health will release updates on blue-green algae levels in the Caloosahatchee River-Sebastian Canal.