CLAY COUNTY — The Florida Department of Health in Clay County has issued an alert for the presence of harmful blue-green algae toxins in Doctors Lake-Magnolia Road. 

The alert comes after a water sample was taken on July 16.

The county asks that people exercise caution in and around the area.

DOH-Clay also advises the public to take the following precautions:

-Do not drink, swim, wade, use personal watercrafts, or come into contact with waters where there is a visible bloom.

-Wash your skin and clothing with soap and water if you have any contact with algae, or discolored or water that smells unpleasant.

- Keep pets and livestock away from the area to avoid any contact with water. Waters where algae blooms are present are not safe for animals. Pets and livestock should use an alternative source of water when algae blooms are present.

-Do not cook or clean dishes with water contaminated by algae blooms. Boiling the water will not eliminate toxins.

-Eating fillets from healthy fish caught in freshwater lakes experiencing blooms is safe. Rinse fish fillets with tap or bottled water, throw out the guts, and cook fish thoroughly.

-Do not eat shellfish in waters with algae blooms.