Blue-Green Algae Health Alert: Caloosahatchee River

The Florida Department of Health in Lee County issued a health alert Friday after a water sample confirmed harmful blue-green algae toxins in the Caloosahatchee River-Sebastian Canal near Lehigh Acres.

Residents and visitors must avoid contact with water where visible blooms appear. Do not drink, swim, wade, use personal watercraft, or contact discolored or foul-smelling water. Wash skin and clothing immediately if exposure occurs.

Pet owners must keep animals away from the canal. Contaminated water can sicken or kill pets and livestock. Boiling does not eliminate the toxins, so residents should not cook or clean dishes with affected water. Eating fish fillets from affected areas is safe if people rinse fillets with tap or bottled water, discard the guts, and cook thoroughly. Do not eat shellfish from waters with algae blooms.

Blue-green algae are bacteria common in Florida's freshwater environments. Blooms occur when rapid growth creates visible discoloration and floating mats that emit odors. Sunny days, warm water, still conditions, and excess nutrients trigger blooms, which appear year-round but peak in summer and fall.

Children, elderly residents, and immunocompromised individuals face heightened risks. Anyone experiencing symptoms after exposure should call the Florida Poison Information Center at 800-222-1222. Pet owners who suspect illness should contact their veterinarian immediately.

Residents can report algae blooms to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection online or at 1-855-305-3903. Report dead, diseased, or abnormally behaving wildlife to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission online or at 800-636-0511.

For additional information, visit Protecting Florida Together or call the Department of Health in Lee County at 239-690-2100.