Florida health and environmental agencies have been studying the explosive growth of cylindro but have not been able to develop a management plan as yet. Meanwhile, the algae have been linked to massive die-offs of migratory fish eating birds, especially pelicans, in newly flooded wetlands around the farms adjacent to Lake Apopka. Alligators are dying in record numbers in Lake Griffin, but not before behaving erratically and sluggishly, much as fish poisoned by pfiesteria behave. Even worse, the alligator eggs are not hatching despite being fertile. The human illness acquired from exposure to toxins in Lake Griffin has all the typical neurotoxin symptoms.
Patients are tired, with muscle aches, diarrhea, memory impairment and confusion.
They cough, can't tolerate bright light and they hurt all over. Fortunately, the VCS test detects the toxin and therapy is beneficial. The problem of residential acquisition is what should a patient do if the evening breeze coming off a pea green lake onto his front porch is carrying the toxin that makes him sick over and over again.