Latest news with #bluegreenalgae
CTV News
a day ago
- Health
- CTV News
Blue-green algae advisory issued for Isle Lake
Samples from a bloom of blue-green algae taken from the French River have been confirmed to be a species of cyanobacteria that can produce toxins. (File) Visitors to Isle Lake should watch out for blue-green algae. Alberta Health Services (AHS) issued a release Friday saying cyanobacteria had been found in the lake that spans the Parkland and Lac Ste. Anne Counties. The algae, which can appear like scum, grass clippings or fuzz on water's surface, can be harmful to people and animals that come into contact with it. Symptoms include skin irritation, rash, sore throat and eyes, fever, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. People and pets should not swim or wade where algae is present or eat whole fish or fish trimmings from the lake, AHS said, but fish filets are safe. Any area of the lake where the bacteria are not present is safe to use. AHS said untreated water from any body of water should never be used for drinking or cooking. For more information, visit the AHS website. Anyone who suspects illness related to cyanobacteria can also call Health Link at 811.
CBS News
a day ago
- Climate
- CBS News
Toxic blue-green algae blooms are sprouting up in Minnesota lakes, closing some beaches
A number of Minnesota cities have reported blue-green algae blooms this summer, causing the temporary closing of some beaches. Blue-green algae is bacteria that can be toxic for both humans and pets. "We have a lot packed into this park so on a typical summer day it's busy from one end to the other," said Amy Markle, Parks and Recreation Director for Eden Prairie. For about a week and a half, Riley Lake Beach in Eden Prairie was shut down after the detection of blue-green algae. Water samples confirmed that the bright green bloom with blue streaks, which looked like spilled paint, contained harmful toxins. "The tricky thing with blue-green algae is sometimes, when the bacteria break down, that's actually when the toxins can be released," said Markle. If ingested, the bacteria can cause vomiting, diarrhea, rash and headache. Blooms have been found earlier than normal this year, due to early ice-outs on many lakes. Algae blooms are fueled by two things: an abundance of nutrients in a lake and rapidly warming water temperatures. "Think about a garden, and you need sunlight and water and nutrients in a garden. And you are going to have a great, beautiful garden. Well, algae is a lot of the same way," Kim Laing, with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, said. Laing said the only real preventative measure is to keep nitrogen and phosphorus from getting into lakes and ponds. "Whether it's vegetative buffers, or other avenues, try and keep those nutrients on the land and out of the water," said Laing. As for Riley Lake Beach, it re-opened after 10 days. Swimming has returned, but with hot days ahead, they'll continue to keep a close eye on the water. "It's kind of the perfect recipe for it, so our lifeguard team is watchful. They do a visual inspection in the morning to see if there is any present before we open the beach up for swimming," said Markle. The Environmental Protection Agency has information on its website on how you can detect and report an algae bloom, if you see one in your area.
CTV News
2 days ago
- Health
- CTV News
Blue-green algae confirmed in Commanda Lake
The North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit is advising residents on the southwest part of Commanda Lake to be cautious after a harmful algae bloom, also known as blue-green algae, was confirmed in the lake. (File) The North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit is advising residents on the southwest part of Commanda Lake to be cautious after a harmful algae bloom, also known as blue-green algae, was confirmed in the lake. The bloom was confirmed by a June 16 testing sample taken by the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks. 'While blue-green algae blooms may not always show the presence of toxins, there is always the risk that toxins could be produced,' the health unit said in a news release Thursday. 'Toxins can stay in the water for up to three weeks after the algae bloom is gone, causing skin irritation, and if swallowed, diarrhea and vomiting.' Toxins could be anywhere Anyone who uses water from Commanda Lake may be affected, depending on their closeness to the algae bloom, wind direction, water flow and other environmental conditions. 'Due to the many factors involved, it cannot be determined where and when there are toxins, or when the water is safe to use for private water systems,' the release said. 'Individuals who live near where a bloom was detected or where a bloom is visible should exercise their judgment before using the water.' For the time being, don't use the water for drinking, bathing or swimming. Keep pets and children away from the bloom. 'Using a private water system or boiling the water will not destroy the toxins,' the health unit said. 'Do not allow pets or livestock to swim in or drink the water. If skin contact does occur, wash with soap and water, then rinse thoroughly with clean water to remove algae.' For more information about harmful algae, click here or contact the health unit at 705-474-1400, ext. 5400. For further details on the sampling process, contact the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks Spills Action Centre at 1-800-268-6060.
CBC
4 days ago
- Health
- CBC
Past blue-green algae blooms in Halifax have not been dangerous to humans, research finds
Blue-green algae can be a real buzzkill for those looking to cool off with a dip at one of Halifax's 20 supervised beaches, but new data from researchers at Dalhousie University suggests the risk to humans who go swimming when the algae is present has been limited over the past few years. The team monitored eight recreational beaches over three years and found that though the genes that produce blue-green algae were present at each site, the toxins detected were well below Health Canada's acceptable levels for toxins in drinking water, let alone recreation. "We don't know that that's the conditions all the time, but through our research, it's looking really promising that even where we're seeing these blooms, we're not seeing toxins that would be considered a risk to people who are swimming," says Elizabeth Montgomery, a water resource specialist for the municipality's environment and climate change team. The sites monitored include Lake Banook, Kearney Lake, Penhorn Lake, Chocolate Lake, Cunard Pond and several spots in Shubie Park. Cunard Pond, in particular, has seen many beach closures due to blue-green algae blooms in recent years. Blue-green algae occurs in all parts of Nova Scotia and once it appears in a body of water, it will bloom again when the conditions are right. The algae produces toxins that can cause illness in humans and be fatal to pets. All Halifax Regional Municipality supervised beaches are monitored for blue-green algae from July 1 to Aug. 31. As per the HRM's current policy, if blue-green algae is spotted at one of the city's supervised lakes, the beach is shut down until further testing can be completed. On Tuesday, Montgomery told CBC News the research gives the municipality a better picture of what's happening in city lakes and may help them make faster decisions around reopening beaches. "We're looking at being more reactive, using the information we're getting from this research, and testing more quickly, and depending on what those test results say, opening the beach," she said. Overall, Montgomery sees the results as encouraging. "It's a relief because we advise people not to swim at our beaches when they're closed but we know that they do anyway," she said. She said people still shouldn't let their guard down while swimming, making sure to avoid drinking the water and to dry off vigorously and shower when they're done. But dogs face more of a risk, she said, though not typically from accidentally drinking lake water when blue algae is present. They can be harmed by accidentally eating benthic blue-green algae mats — slimy sheets that can wash up on shore and are often fatal when ingested, as was likely the case when two dogs died at Shubenacadie-Grand Lake in 2021. The only way to make sure you're swimming in water that has been tested, Montgomery said, is to visit one of HRM's supervised beaches. "If you're looking for that extra level of precaution, I do recommend coming … they're really nice," she said.
CTV News
18-06-2025
- Health
- CTV News
Nova Scotia prepares for blue-green algae as the summer season begins
Blue algae blooms are making their presence known in the Maritimes as summer approaches. It may not have been beach weather in the Halifax area Wednesday, but as the summer approaches it won't be long until beaches are full. 'Around this time of year, we're working with our colleagues in recreation, making sure all of our protocols are up to date, and that any changes that need to be made have been approved,' said Halifax Regional Municipality Environment Manager Emma Wattie. Supervised beaches in Halifax officially open for the season July 1, which is when water quality testing begins. 'Bacteria likes it warm. They like it sunny, much like us, but they want more shallow water typically,' said Wattie. Both the Nova Scotia and New Brunswick governments are warning about the risk of blue-green algae as temperatures rise. It can look like fine grass clippings in the water, spilled paint, pea soup or sometimes like a thick scum on the surface. Consuming or swimming in water with blue-green algae can cause skin, eye and throat irritation in humans but it can be much worse for dogs. 'These toxins are extremely potent, so even a small volume can be lethal,' said Dr. Dan Maguire, a veterinarian at PetFocus Veterinary Hospital Bedford South. Maguire said if you think your pet may have consumed contaminated water, you should get them treatment right away. 'This can be harmful to both the liver and the nervous system,' he said. 'Symptoms can appear from minutes to hours, and we're looking for things like vomiting, diarrhea, weakness.' Wattie said blue-green algae is happening more frequently and in larger blooms but there wasn't any more in the Halifax area last year than in year's past. 'When a beach or a lake has a blue-green algae bloom, it's more likely for that bloom to come back year to year, so we are seeing it in areas like Cunard Pond, and Birch Cove, and Lake Banook,' she said. There are other water issues to be on the lookout for this summer. 'We test for enterococci in the saltwater and E. coli in freshwater,' said Nova Scotia Lifeguard Service Director Paul D'Eon. The service monitors provincial beaches. 'If we get poor results, we implement a closure and do re-testing,' D'Eon said. If someone does come across blue-green algae in Halifax Regional Municipality, they should contact 311. Sightings at Nova Scotia beaches can be reported by calling 1-877-936-8576. For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
