The Florida Department of Health in Orange County has issued its third blue-green algae bloom caution for a local lake in the past three weeks.
Officials issued a health caution for Lake Formosa in response to a site visit and water sample that showed the presence of blue-green algae, according to a press release from the FDOH Public Information Officer Kent Donahue.
The sample was taken on Monday and shows algae blooms, which have a potential to produce toxins and can dynamically change at any time.
Visitors to Lake Formosa are advised to not drink, swim, wade, use personal watercraft, water ski or boat in waters where there is a visible bloom. Officials also caution pet and livestock owners to keep their animals away from waters. In addition, anyone fishing in Lake Formosa should avoid eating shellfish. Eating fillets from healthy fish caught in freshwater lakes experiencing blooms is safe, according to the release.
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) collects algae samples from reported bloom locations for toxin analysis. Once completed, the results are posted on the DEP Algal Bloom Dashboard.