The Florida Department of Health in Marion County has lifted its recreational water and fish advisory for cyanobacteria on Lake Weir as algal blooms have dissipated.
Some types of cyanobacteria produce chemicals called toxins which can, in high amounts, affect the liver, nervous system and skin. Illness can occur when water containing high amounts of toxin is ingested. This is possible when people ingest large amounts of untreated surface water.
The booklet, Your Guide to Eating Fish Caught in Florida, contains specific guidelines for Lake Weir, as well as other Marion County lakes and rivers. You can find out more on the Department of Health Fish Consumption Advisories Web page. As a precaution, the Department recommends that any fish not behaving normally, that has sores or open wounds, or is caught in or around visible algae blooms should not be consumed. Boiling water or cooking fish does not remove or destroy these toxins.
Information on health impacts from cyanobacteria is available on the Department’s website atwww.floridahealth.gov/environmental-health/aquatic-toxins.
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