Alberta Health issues blue-green algae warning about Pigeon Lake
Posted Aug 5, 2016 9:51 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Steer clear of the blue-green algae blooms now popping up in Pigeon Lake.
The scummy scourge of the summer months is making its annual appearance at the popular Central Alberta watering hole.
Those who come into contact with it or ingest the algae risk skin irritation, a rash, a sore throat, red eyes, swollen lips, fever, nauseau, vomiting and diarrhea.
“We have issued an advisory, so the lab results on the lake have increased and we have also confirmed visually that there are blue-green algae blooms and to avoid contact,” said Medical Officer of Health Dr. Joanna Oda.
Oda says if you do come into contact with the scum, wash it off immediately with tap water.
Symptoms are usually more pronounced in children and appear within one to three hours.
“We do hope people will take this advisory into consideration, it’s no fun to travel three hours to the lake only to realize you can’t,” she said. “It’s not looking really appealing to enjoy anyway and then on top of it, contact or ingestion can lead to a whole host of problems.”
Several blue-green algae alerts have already been issued this summer, with Pigeon being the most recent.
