Health alerts issued as blue-green algae continues to spread

COLLIER COUNTY, Fla. — Green gunk has been gathering in canals around Southwest Florida recently, and it’s starting to become a health issue.

So far, blue-green algae blooms have been spotted in Labelle, Alva and Fort Myers.

Conditions at the Davis Boat Ramp are not getting better. The water is smelly, green and is littered with a thick layer of algae.

The US Army Corps of Engineers have a meeting to discuss Lake Okeechobee water releases today. The water releases contribute to the algae blooms we’re seeing in SWFL waterways.

New information form the Calusa Waterkeeper shows that toxin levels at the Franklin Lock and Davis Boat Ramp are well above the Environmental Protection Agency’s recreational guidelines.

Health alerts are now in effect because the algae can cause gastrointestinal effects if you swallow it. Children and pets are especially vulnerable.

Count on NBC2 to update you on what the Army Corps of Engineers decide at their meeting today.

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