Blue Green Algae Health Advisories

Current Blue Green Algae Advisories

 

About Blue Green Algae

If there is a blue green algae advisory for a body of water you plan on visiting, take these precautions:

  • Avoid all contact with blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) blooms. If contact occurs, wash with tap water as soon as possible.
  • Do not swim or wade (or allow your pets to swim or wade) in any areas where blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) is visible.
  • Do not feed whole fish or fish trimmings from this lake to your pets.
  • Consider limiting human consumption of whole fish and fish trimmings from this lake, as it is known that fish may store toxins in their liver. (People can safely consume fish fillets from this lake).

Blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) is naturally occurring, and often become visible when weather conditions are calm. Appearing like scum, grass clippings, fuzz or globs on the surface of water, blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) can be blue-green, greenish-brown, brown, and/or pinkish-red, and often smell musty or grassy.

Advisories are in effect until rescind notices are issued.

People or animals who come in contact with visible blue-green algae (cyanobacteria), or who ingest water containing blue-green algae (cyanobacteria), may experience:

  • skin irritation
  • rash
  • sore throat
  • sore, red eyes
  • swollen lips
  • fever
  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • diarrhea

Symptoms usually appear within one to three hours and resolve in one to two days. Symptoms in children are often more pronounced; however, all humans are at risk of these symptoms. If animals display these symptoms contact a veterinarian immediately.

If you suspect a problem related to blue-green algae, or if you require further information on blue-green algae, please call Health Link at 811.

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