Blue-green algae alert issued for Orange County lakes by Department of Health
The Florida Department of Health in Orange County (DOH-Orange) cautions the public of the presence of blue-green algae in Lake Killarney (Killarney Drive) on May 12, 2025, and Lake Butler (W. Shore) on May 7, 2025.
With water sample testing underway, blue-green algae has the potential to produce toxins. Since environmental conditions can change at any time, it is important to exercise caution, even if the presence of toxins has not yet been confirmed.
Residents and visitors are advised to take the following precautions:
• Do not drink, swim, wade, use personal watercraft, or come into contact with waters where there is a visible bloom.
• Wash your skin and clothing with soap and water if you come into contact with algae, discolored water, or water that smells unpleasant.
• Keep pets and livestock away from the area to avoid contact with water. Waters where algae blooms are not safe for animals, so pets and livestock should use an alternative water source 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
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 the rapid growth of algae leads to an accumulation of individual cells that discolor water and often produce floating mats that emit unpleasant odors.
Blue-green algae blooms can also appear as scum, foam, or paint on the surface of the water in various colors. To learn more about the appearance of algae blooms, visit Protecting Florida Together.
Is Blue-Green Algae Harmful?
Blue-green algae can produce toxins that can be harmful to humans and pets as well as ecosystems, including fish and other aquatic animals.
Sensitive individuals (e.g., children, the elderly, and the immunocompromised) may still be at risk even at low concentrations and should avoid any exposure.
If you have other health questions or concerns about blue-green algae, please call DOH-Orange at 407-723-5004.
Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
Wildfire smoke from Canada prompts air quality health advisory
NEW YORK (WWTI) – New York DEC Commissioner Amanda Lefton and DOH Commissioner Dr. James McDonald are issuing an Air Quality Health Advisory for fine particulate matter on June 7, 2025, due to wildfire smoke from Canada. Air quality alert issued for much of New York State The pollutant of concern is: Fine Particulate Matter The advisory will be in effect 10 a.m. through 11:59 p.m. The Air Quality Health Advisory regions consist of: Adirondacks, which includes Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Hamilton, northern Herkimer, Lewis, St. Lawrence, and Warren counties; Eastern Lake Ontario, which includes northern Cayuga, Jefferson, Monroe, Oswego, and Wayne counties; Central New York, which includes Allegany, Broome, southern Cayuga, Chemung, Chenango, Cortland, Delaware, southern Herkimer, Livingston, Madison, Onondaga, Oneida, Ontario, Otsego, Tioga, Tompkins, Schuyler, Seneca, Steuben, and Yates, and Western New York, which includes Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Niagara, Orleans, and Wyoming counties. DEC and DOH issue Air Quality Health Advisories when pollution levels, like ozone or PM2.5, are expected to exceed an AQI value of 100, indicating health risks. Fine particulate matter (PM 2.5) consists of tiny particles or droplets in the air, measuring 2.5 microns or less. These particles can come from combustion sources like vehicle exhaust, power plants and fires, as well as chemical reactions in the atmosphere. Exposure to PM 2.5 can lead to short-term health issues such as eye, nose and throat irritation, coughing, sneezing, and shortness of breath. It may also worsen conditions like asthma and heart disease, particularly affecting sensitive groups like those with heart or breathing problems, children, and the elderly. To reduce exposure during elevated outdoor levels, staying indoors can help, although indoor sources like tobacco or cooking fumes can still keep levels high. Recommendations include minimizing sources of PM 2.5 and avoiding strenuous activities in polluted areas. More information is available on DEC's and DOH's websites. Bongino, Patel defend ICE amid unrest over Los Angeles raids Ohio girl with brain injury from flu complications returns home Simone Biles rails against 'sore loser' conservative activist over trans athletes Protesters confront immigration agents, deputies during raid in Los Angeles County Streaming services next steps: What are Mubi, Tubi, and more? Additional information on PM 2.5 is available on DEC's website and on DOH's website (PM 2.5). A new DEC fact sheet about the Air Quality Index is also available on DEC's website or by PDF download. To stay up-to-date with announcements from DEC, sign up to receive Air Quality Alerts through DEC Delivers: DEC's Premier Email Service. A toll-free Air Quality Hotline (1-800-535-1345) was also established by DEC to keep New Yorkers informed of the latest air quality situation Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
NYSDEC issues air quality advisory for Southern Tier, Finger Lakes on Saturday
N.Y. (WETM) — A health advisory concerning the air quality has been put in place for multiple counties in the Southern Tier and Finger Lakes regions on Saturday, June 7, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner and State Department of Health (DOH) Commissioner announced in a release. On Saturday, June 7, the DEC and DOH announced in a release that from 10 a.m. through 11:59 p.m., on Saturday an air quality health advisory for 'fine particulate matter' has been issued due to the effects of the smoke coming from wildfires in Canada. The release said these advisories are issued by both agencies after a meteorologist from the DEC anticipates pollution levels, either ozone or fine particulate matter (PM 2.5), are going to be greater than an air quality index (AQI) number of 100. The pollutant that called for this advisory is Fine Particulate Matter, the release explained. 'Fine particulate matter (PM) consists of tiny solid particles or liquid droplets in the air that are 2.5 microns or less in diameter. PM 2.5 can be made of many different types of particles and often come from processes that involve combustion (e.g., vehicle exhaust, power plants, and fires) and from chemical reactions in the atmosphere.' The release stated that exposure can cause some short-term health effects, like irritation to the eyes, nose, and throat, coughing, sneezing, runny nose, and shortness of breath. People with medical conditions such as asthma and heart disease could experience worsened symptoms if exposed to high levels of fine particulate matter, the release further stated. People with heart or breathing problems, along with children and the elderly, may be rather sensitive to PM 2.5, the release said. Going indoors can reduce exposure when outdoor levels are high, the release explained, if there are significant indoor sources of PM 2.5 (tobacco, candle or incense smoke, or fumes from cooking), levels inside may not be lower than outside. The release emphasized that people can minimize outdoor and indoor sources and avoid strenuous activities in areas where fine particle concentrations are high to reduce exposure. Below are the counties in the Southern Tier & Finger Lakes Regions under the advisory: Chemung County Steuben County Schuyler County Tioga County (NY) Cayuga County Tompkins County Yates County If people would like any additional information regarding the advisory and how it works, you can visit the DEC or DOH websites. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Yahoo
Cat triggers rabies alert in Lake County
People who live in Lake County may want to keep their pets inside for a while. Officials with the Florida Department of Health in Lake County are tracking rabies cases among wild animals in the area. They said the issue started after a cat-related incident in the western part of Leesburg in Lake County. It's best for people and domestic animals to steer clear of physical contact with wild animals like raccoons, bats, foxes, skunks, otters, bobcats and coyotes. These animals pose a higher risk of exposure to humans and may require rabies post-exposure treatment. If you are exposed to rabies, receiving appropriate treatment after exposure will protect you from the risk of rabies. This rabies alert is for 60 days and includes the following boundaries in Lake County: · Northern boundary: Alabama Avenue · Southern boundary: North 14th St. · Eastern boundary: Edgewood Avenue · Western boundary: Oklahoma Avenue Take the following precautions to prevent rabies exposure: · Immunize your pets and livestock based on your veterinarian's recommended schedule. · Keep pets under direct supervision and on a leash, and keep livestock secured on your property. If an animal bites your pet or livestock, seek veterinary assistance for the animal immediately and contact Lake County Animal Control at 352-343-9500. · Avoid contact with wild or stray animals. Do not handle, feed, or unintentionally attract them with outdoor pet food, open garbage cans, or other food sources. If you have been bitten or scratched by a wild or domestic animal, seek medical attention, and report the injury to DOH-Lake by calling 352-221-2609 or after hours at 352-250-7329. · Never adopt wild animals or bring them into your home; instead, contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. · Call your local animal control agency to remove stray animals from your neighborhood. Contact Lake County Animal Control at 352-343-9500 · Prevent wildlife, including bats, from entering living quarters or occupied spaces in homes, schools, and other areas where they might contact people and pets. For more information on rabies, please visit this site. Or contact DOH-Lake at 352-771-5500. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
