Health officials issue Blue-Green Algae Bloom Alert

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY – The Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough has issued a Health Alert for the presence of harmful blue-green algal toxins in Lake Breckenridge – South Lobe. This is in response to a water sample taken on January 18, 2024. The public should exercise caution in and around Lake Breckenridge – South Lobe.

• 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. 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.