Health alert issued in Duval County after blue-green algae toxins detected in St. Johns River

DUVAL COUNTY, Fla. – A health alert has been issued in Duval County by the Florida Department of Health (FDOH) after blue-green algae toxins were detected in the St. Johns River.

The agency recommended people take caution in and around the St. Johns River, particularly near Mandarin Point.

FDOH is asking residents and visitors 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 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.

According to FDOH, blue-green algae are a type of bacteria commonly found in Florida’s freshwater environments. A bloom occurs when rapid algae growth leads to a buildup of cells that can cause water discoloration or floating mats that produce unpleasant odors.

The bacteria can also produce toxins, which can be harmful to humans, pets, and ecosystems.

If you detect an algae bloom, you are encouraged to contact the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

If you have been exposed to any harmful algae blooms, contact the Florida Poison Information Center (800-222-1222) to speak with a poison specialist.

If your pet is believed to have come into contact with blue-green algae, call your veterinarian.

Finally, if you notice any dead, diseased, or abnormally behaving fish or wildlife, it should be reported to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission online or at 800-636-0511.

If you have other health questions or concerns about blue-green algae, please call DOH-Duval at 904-253-1280.