Algae toxins found in Lake Monroe near Volusia; health department issues warning

Sheldon Gardner, Daytona Beach News-Journal
·2 min read

The Florida Department of Health in Volusia County is urging people to be careful around Lake Monroe because a water sample detected "harmful blue-green algal toxins" in the center of the lake.

The large lake is between Deltona and Sanford. Lake Monroe has a park in Volusia County with fishing docks, boat ramps and other amenities.

The water sample was taken on Dec. 21, according to the health department. People should be careful because the toxins can be harmful to humans and pets.

"Blue-green algae are a type of bacteria that is common in Florida’s freshwater environments," according to the health department. "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."

Algal blooms can appear at any time of year.

Blue-green algal blooms cloud the Indian River Lagoon near Rio Nature Park in Stuart in 2016.
Blue-green algal blooms cloud the Indian River Lagoon near Rio Nature Park in Stuart in 2016.

The Florida Department of Health in Volusia County issued the following tips:

  • Don't drink, swim, wade, use personal watercraft, water ski or boat in the water 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 that have algae blooms are not safe for animals. Pets and livestock should have a different source of water when algae blooms are present.

  • Don't cook or clean dishes with water contaminated by algae blooms. Boiling the water won't eliminate the toxins.

  • Eating fillets from healthy fish caught in freshwater lakes experiencing blooms is safe. Rinse fish fillets with tap or bottled water and cook fish to an appropriate temperature.

  • Don't eat shellfish in waters with algae.

Call the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to report algal blooms at 855-305-3903 or report them online at reportalgalbloom.com, according to the health department. People can speak to a poison specialist about symptoms from exposure to algal blooms or other aquatic toxins by calling the Florida Poison Information Center at 800-222-1222.

If a pet gets sick from eating or coming into contact with algae-contaminated water, call a veterinarian.

Report fish kills to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Research Institute at 800-636-0511.

The Florida Department of Health in Volusia County can be reached at 386-274-0694.

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Volusia health department issues warning for Lake Monroe toxins