A warning has been issued by the Florida Department of Health in Palm Beach County to the public to avoid any contact with water in the C-17 Canal located off Congress Avenue in suburban West Palm Beach. The department is currently investigating a blue-green algae bloom in that area, which can produce harmful toxins to humans, pets, fish and plant life.
Exposure to blue-green algae can have detrimental effects on individuals, particularly very young or elderly people, as well as those who are immunocompromised. Symptoms of exposure can include rashes, stomach cramps, nausea, diarrhea and vomiting. High exposure to toxins from the algae can impact the liver and nervous system.
The department advises individuals not to consume shellfish from waters with blue-green algae blooms. Fish tested from water with blue-green algae have shown no significant accumulation of toxins in their edible parts but it’s recommended that individuals rinse fish fillets with tap or bottled water before cooking them thoroughly before consuming.
Blue-green algae typically manifest as foul-smelling floating mats, scum or foam on the surfaces of bodies of water. These algae are often fueled by pollutants discharged into waterways. The investigation into the presence of blue-green algae in the C-17 Canal off Congress Avenue in West Palm Beach continues.
