Health Alert Issued For Blue-Green Algae Blooms On Hillsborough River

TAMPA, FL — The Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County has issued a health alert for the presence of harmful blue-green algal toxins in the Hillsborough River north of Morris Bridge Road, west of Interstate 75.

This is in response to a water sample taken on Aug. 4. The health department said the public should exercise caution in and around this area of the Hillsborough River.

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. Contact your veterinarian if you believe your pet has become ill after consuming or having contact with blue-green algae-contaminated water.
• 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 the 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 that can impact human health and ecosystems, including fish and other aquatic animals.

For additional information on potential health effects of algal blooms, click here.

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection collects and analyzes algal bloom samples. To report a bloom to the DEP, 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 at 1-800-222-1222