Albertans asked to be ‘on the lookout for blue-green algae’
Posted Aug 7, 2022 4:53 pm.
If you’re planning on hitting the water this summer in Alberta, “be on the lookout for blue-green algae,” warns the province.
The Government of Alberta took to twitter to warn Albertans to check water advisories before dipping in water.
Blue-green algae’s blooms produce toxins that can make people and pets sick.
Be on the lookout for blue-green algae in Alberta’s bodies of water. Blooms produce toxins that can make people and pets very sick.
If you’re taking a dip this summer, check the list of active bloom advisories before you get your feet wet: https://t.co/QJTOuE8uhr pic.twitter.com/nXh3PVJxn7
— Alberta Government (@YourAlberta) August 7, 2022
AHS says people should take precautions when visiting lakes that could have blue-green algae, such as avoiding all contact with the algae blooms, swimming, and eating fish from the affected lake.
Blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) is visible on the surface of water in calm weather conditions and it looks like scum, grass, fuzz, or globs. Also, it smells musty and has a variety of colors from blue-green, greenish-brown, brown, or pinkish-red.
Upon ingesting or getting in contact with the blue-algae, people may experience skin irritation, rash, sore throat, red eyes, swollen lips, fever, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
AHS says these symptoms appear within one to three hours and resolve in one to two days.
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They mostly affect children, but humans and animals are also prone to these symptoms.
AHS says advisories are in effect until rescind notices are issued and people who suspect a problem related to the algae, can call 811.
If animals get in contact with the affected water and show symptoms, people should contact a veterinarian immediately.
