HEALTH OFFICIALS ISSUE BLUE-GREEN ALGAE BLOOM ALERT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 29, 2023

HEALTH OFFICIALS ISSUE BLUE-GREEN

ALGAE BLOOM ALERT FOR HIGHLANDS

COUNTY

Contact:

Pam Crain, PIO

[email protected]

863-991-5389

Sebring, Fla. – The Florida Department of Health in Highlands County (DOH-

Highlands) has issued a health alert for the presence of harmful blue-green algal toxins

at the following location:

Lake Glenada Boat Ramp

2525 US Highway 27 S

Avon Park, FL 33825

This is in response to a water sample taken on November 20, 2023. The public should

exercise caution in and around Lake Glenada.

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.

What do I do if I see an algal bloom?

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) collects and analyzes algal

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

3903.

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 DOH-Highlands at 863-386-6040.

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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.