Algae bloom found in Stick Marsh in Indian River County

Department of Health in Indian River County issued a health alert Wednesday for the presence of microcystin toxin in a blue-green algae bloom. The bloom was found in the Stick Marsh near Fellsmere Grade Road in Indian River County.

Blue-green algae (also known as cyanobacteria) can grow in many of Florida’s bodies of water, a news release from the Florida Department of Health said. Large concentrations of algae can change the water color to blue, green, brown, orange or red. Blooms can appear year-round but are more frequent in summer and fall. Blue-green algae can grow rapidly and sometimes form a foamy surface scum and an unpleasant odor. Because algae blooms can remove oxygen from the water, fish kills can occur.

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The health department advises not to swallow, swim, wade, use personal watercraft, water ski or boat in waters where there are algae blooms. Algae blooms can cause ear, eye and skin reactions and hay fever and flu-like symptoms like diarrhea. Wash your skin and clothing with soap and water if you have contact with algae, discolored or smelly water, the news release said.

Waters with algae blooms are not safe for animals, the news release said. Pets and livestock should have a different source of water when algae blooms are present.

Don’t cook or clean dishes with water contaminated by algae blooms. Boiling the water with not eliminate the toxins.

Fillets from healthy fish caught in freshwater lakes experiencing blooms are safe to eat. Rinse fish fillets with tap or bottled water, throw out the guts, and cook fish well. Do not eat shellfish from this location. The Florida Department of health recommends that fish are not harvested from areas near or in the algae bloom.