The Florida Department of Health in Lee County issued a health alert after blue-green algae toxins were found in the Gator Slough Canal in Cape Coral.According to DOH-Lee officials, the alert came after a water sample that was taken on Nov. 24, and officials have advised people to use caution in and around the canal.Officials advised residents and visitors to take the following precautions:Do not drink, swim, wade, use personal watercrafts, 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 where algae blooms are present are not safe for animals. Pets and livestock should use an alternative 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 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 thoroughly.Do not eat shellfish in waters with algae blooms.For more information about harmful algal blooms, you can click here.DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.
The Florida Department of Health in Lee County issued a health alert after blue-green algae toxins were found in the Gator Slough Canal in Cape Coral.
According to DOH-Lee officials, the alert came after a water sample that was taken on Nov. 24, and officials have advised people to use caution in and around the canal.
Officials advised residents and visitors to take the following precautions:
* Do not drink, swim, wade, use personal watercrafts, 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 where algae blooms are present are not safe for animals. Pets and livestock should use an alternative 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 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 thoroughly.
* Do not eat shellfish in waters with algae blooms.
For more information about harmful algal blooms, you can click here.
DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.