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June 15, 2010
HEALTH ADVISORY
State health officials continue to monitor the
most recent fish kill on the St. Johns River. Teams from the Florida Fish
and Wildlife Conservation Commission, St. Johns River Water Management
District, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Florida
Department of Health, Duval County Health Department and the City of
Jacksonville continue to investigate the situation. The cause of the kill
has not yet been determined.
Fish kills can be caused by low dissolved oxygen in the water, algal blooms, chemical spills and other events. To ensure the public’s safety, the Duval County Health Department advises common-sense precautions and to avoid algae blooms and fish kill areas.
If you see a fish kill of more than a few fish that are dead, dying, acting erratically or have sores:
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Stay away from the immediate area and the fish while those conditions exist.
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Do not eat, use or collect any fish, crabs, other life or items from the immediate area.
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Do not let pets swim in or eat fish from those waters.
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Report the areas of sick or dead fish to the Fish Kill Hotline (Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission):
800-636-0511.
If you come in contact with the water where there is an algae bloom or where fish are dead, dying, appear sick, or have sores:
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Remove wet clothing and keep separate from other items until it is washed.
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Wash any body part (except the eyes) that comes in contact with the waters, using soap and clean water. Rinse eyes with lots of clear, clean water.
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Use waterproof gloves when handling pets and items that have come in contact with algae and the water.
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Keep your pets away from the algae and do not let them either eat algae or lick their fur after contact with the water.
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See your doctor or health provider if you experience any symptoms that might be caused by exposure to these waters, such as burning eyes, respiratory irritation, or a skin rash.
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Report any illness from exposure to harmful algae to the toll-free Aquatic Toxins Hotline: 888-232-8635.
State and local agencies are continuing to collect samples for analysis in response to reports of fish kills in the St. Johns River.
Duval County Health Department
900 University Blvd. N.
Jacksonville, FL 32211
253-1000
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