Health Alert Issued in Fort Myers Shores for Blue-Green Algae Outbreak in Caloosahatchee

Originally published by WINK News on December 6, 2021

The Florida Department of Health has issued a health alert after finding harmful blue-green algae toxins in the Caloosahatchee River at the Davis Boat Ramp in Fort Myers Shores.

The health alert results from a Dec. 1 sample taken from the water in that area.

While it isn’t thick or smelly, Calusa Waterkeeper John Cassani said the toxins still pose a risk. “You can get it on your skin, you can inhale the aerosols in the air, you can ingest it if you’re swimming in the water.”

He argues the increased nutrients come from Lake Okeechobee. “It seems a little more than a coincidence that the corps started releasing water about three weeks ago from lake Okeechobee, and now we’re seeing these blooms pop up.”