Orange County

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

Stock photo of water Stock photo of water (Pixabay)

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.

>>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<<

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:

READ: 2 Central Floridians win $1M in new scratch-off game

  • 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.

READ: Accuretic: Pfizer recalls blood pressure drug due to potential carcinogen

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.

READ: 2 Central Floridians win $1M in new scratch-off game

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.

Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.

Sarah Wilson

Sarah Wilson, WFTV.com

Sarah Wilson joined WFTV Channel 9 in 2018 as a digital producer after working as an award-winning newspaper reporter for nearly a decade in various communities across Central Florida.

0