HEALTH OFFICIALS ISSUE BLUE-GREEN ALGAE BLOOM ALERT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 07, 2022

HEALTH OFFICIALS ISSUE BLUE-GREEN

ALGAE BLOOM ALERT FOR HIGHLANDS

COUNTY

Contact:

Pam Crain Public Information Officer

Pamela.crain@flhealth.gov

(863) 386-6040

Sebring, FL

The Florida Department of Health in Highlands County has issued a Health Alert

for the presence of harmful blue-green algal toxins in Little Red Water Lake. This is in response

to a water sample taken on 06/30/2022. The public should exercise caution in and around Little

Red Water Lake.

Residents and visitors are advised to take the following precautions:

 Do not drink, swim, wade, use personal watercraft, water ski or boat in waters where

there is a visible bloom.

 Wash your skin and clothing with soap and water if you have contact with algae or

discolored or smelly water.

 Keep pets away from the area. Waters where there are algae blooms are not safe for

animals. Pets and livestock should have a different source of water when algae blooms

are present.

 Do not cook or clean dishes with water contaminated by algae blooms. Boiling the water

will not eliminate the toxins.

 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.

 Do not eat shellfish in waters with algae blooms.

What is blue-green algae?

Blue-green algae are a type of bacteria that is common in Florida’s freshwater environments. A

bloom occurs when rapid growth of algae leads to an accumulation of individual cells that

discolor water and often produce floating mats that emit unpleasant odors.

Some environmental factors that contribute to blue-green algae blooms are sunny days, warm

water temperatures, still water conditions and excess nutrients. Blooms can appear year-round

but are more frequent in summer and fall. Many types of blue-green algae can produce toxins.

Is it harmful?

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

aquatic animals.

For additional information on potential health effects of algal blooms, visit

floridahealth.gov/environmental-health/aquatic-toxins.

Find current information about Florida’s water quality status and public health notifications for

harmful algal blooms and beach conditions by visiting ProtectingFloridaTogether.gov.

Protecting Florida Together is the state’s joint effort to provide statewide water quality

information to prioritize environmental transparency and commitment to action.

What do I do if I see an algal bloom?

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection collects and analyzes algal bloom

samples. To report a bloom to DEP, call the toll-free hotline at 855-305-3903 or report online.

To report fish kills, contact the Florida Fish and Wildlife Research Institute at 1-800-636-0511.

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.

If you have other health questions or concerns about blue-green algae blooms, please call the

Florida Department of Health in Highlands County at (863) 386-6040.

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About the Florida Department of Health

The department, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to

protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county

and community efforts.

Florida Department of Health please visit www.FloridaHealth.gov.