AHS issues blue-green algae advisory for Wizard Lake
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A bloom of blue-green algae on the surface of Wizard Lake, about 50 km southwest of Edmonton, should have area residents and visitors on alert, Alberta’s health authority says.
In a Monday news release, Alberta Health Services (AHS) warned visitors and lakeside residents to avoid all contact with blue-green algae, also known as cyanobacteria, which produces toxins harmful to both humans and pets. Those who’ve come into contact with the microorganism are encouraged to wash it off with tap water as soon as possible.
Blue-green algae can lead to symptoms such as skin irritation, rash, sore throat, sore red eyes, swollen lips, fever, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea that often appear within one to three hours after contact or ingestion, AHS said, and resolve within one to two days. While everyone is at risk of these symptoms, they are often more pronounced in children, the health authority added.
AHS also cautioned against people and pets swimming or wading in areas where the algae is visible, and to avoid feeding pets whole fish or fish trimmings from the lake. Moreover, AHS recommends limiting human consumption of whole fish from the lake since the fish may store toxins in their livers, although it advises that fish fillets from the lake are still safe to eat.
According to the health authority, blue-green algae smells “musty or grassy,” appears as “scum, grass clippings, fuzz or globs” on water surfaces, and can take a brown, greenish-brown, pinkish-red or blue-green colour.
Since weather and wind conditions can cause an algal bloom to move throughout the lake, AHS said the advisory will remain in place until further notice but noted that parts of the lake where the algae is not visible can still be used for recreational purposes while the advisory is in effect.
Those who suspect they have health problems connected to blue-green algae or require more information can call Health Link at 811 or visit www.ahs.ca/bga.
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