Toxic freshwater blue-green algae is a huge problem in Florida, but now the same algae bloom is causing problems Texas, Georgia, and in other southeast U.S. states where several dogs have died due to exposure.
In Florida, the problem is widespread because how the toxic blue-green algae, which seems to flourish from nutrient-filled water in Lake Okeechobee, is released into large estuaries and rivers that reach both of the state’s coastlines.
Individuals have gotten sick, and the algae have killed family pets, not to mention the thousands of other wildlife that make these waterways their home.
The cases in Virginia, Texas, North Carolina, and Georgia seem to be isolated, but it doesn’t take away from the fact that toxic algae are being found in the water where humans and domestic pets swim.
Is it coincident that the animal deaths appear to be occurring at bodies of water controlled by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers?
The Corps, who is responsible for releasing toxic water from Lake Okeechobee in Florida, also maintain the Allatoona Lake Reservoir 35 miles outside of Atlanta, Georgia.
Georgia’s Department of Natural Resources has been alerted by the Corps that possible algae bloom existed in Allatoona Lake, and was asked to assist in finding out the cause for the dog’s death.
