Blue green algae health alert issued for Alva

ALVA, Fla. – The health department recommends people avoid the Caloosahatchee River after the Florida Department of Environmental Protection found blue green algae at the boat ramp in Alva.

A health alert has been issued because the green slime can cause stomach issues if ingested, according to the health department.

The warning is not stopping a father-son duo, however. The two jumped into the river to pull their boat out of the ramp Thursday.

Neighbors know to avoid contact with the water. Some, like Jim Hanson, said they refuse to eat fish from the river.

“I used to eat the fish out of here years ago and I haven’t eaten fish out of this river in 15 years,” he said.

The presence pf blue green algae is common with rain and hot temperatures, according to experts.