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Blue-green algae alert for Clay County

The alert for the toxic algae is based on a water sample taken June 23, warning not drink, swim or boat in waters where there is a visible bloom.

CLAY COUNTY, Fla. — The video above is from a previous story.

The Florida Department of Health has issued a Caution for the presence of harmful blue-green algal toxins in Clay County. This is in response to a water sample taken on June 23.

Please be cautious in and around Swimming Pen Creek, Whitey’s Fish Camp and 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. 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 fish well.

• Do not eat shellfish in waters with algae blooms.

To report a bloom to Florida Department of Environmental Protection, call the toll-free hotline at (855) 305-3903 or report online.

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. Call 1-800-222-1222 to speak to a poison specialist immediately.

Contact your veterinarian if you believe your pet has become ill after consuming or having contact with blue-green algae-contaminated water.

If you have other health questions or concerns about blue-green algae blooms, please call the Florida Department of Health in Clay County at (904) 529-2800. 

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