FL Department of Health issues alert for algae toxins in Doctors Lake ahead of holiday weekend

While it might be packed on the water for Independence Day weekend, health officials are warning residents to be careful in and around Doctors Lake.

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The Florida Department of Health (DOH) in Clay County issued a health alert after blue-green algae toxins were found in water samples taken from Doctors Lake-Mill Cove.

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The public should exercise caution if headed out on the water in this area.

The DOH advises residents and visitors to take the following precautions:

• Do not drink, swim, wade, use personal watercrafts, or come into contact with waters where there is a visible bloom.
• Wash your skin and clothing with soap and water if you have any contact with algae, or discolored or water that smells unpleasant.
• Keep pets and livestock away from the area to avoid any contact with water. Waters where algae blooms are present are not safe for animals. Pets and livestock should use an alternative 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 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.

For additional information on potential health effects of algae blooms, visit DOH’s harmful algae blooms webpage .

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