OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. — The Florida Department of Health is warning residents and visitors to use caution around the Kissimmee River after tests revealed the presence of toxins from blue-green algae blooms.
Specifically, they’re referring to the areas south of State Road 60.
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According to the Department of Health, samples taken on August 12 carried traces of the harmful toxins.
They’re advising people to avoid drinking or swimming in water where there is a visible algae bloom.
Algae blooms are quite dangerous for animals as well, so they advise keeping pets and livestock away from the area and providing a different source of water for them.
They warn that boiling the water will not kill blue-algae toxins, so it’s additionally unsafe to cook or clean dishes with contaminated water.
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In the case of physical contact with contaminated, discolored, or foul-smelling water, it’s important to wash the skin and clothing with soap and water.
To report an algae bloom, call the Florida Department of Environmental Services at 855-305-3903. DEP collects and analyzes algal bloom samples.
Our samplers were out on the Caloosahatchee yesterday to collect water samples of an algal bloom near Sebastian Court. Sampling is just one component of the state’s response to algal blooms statewide. pic.twitter.com/LMkFpBPCTD
— Florida DEP News (@FLDEPNews) May 21, 2021
Algae blooms form when rapidly growing algae accumulates, oftentimes changing the color of the water and leading to floating mats that can have a foul odor.
The growth can be fueled by warm water temperatures, still waters, and excess nutrients.
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Blooms can form year-round but occur more frequently in the summer and fall.
For more information on the potential health effects of algal blooms, click here.
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