Health Officials Warn of Dangers of Blue-Green Algae

OSWEGO COUNTY – The Oswego County Health Department reminds people using area beaches, lakes and waterways to be on the lookout for harmful algal blooms (HABs), commonly referred to as blue-green algae, that can pose a health risk to humans and animals through ingestion, skin contact or inhalation.

“HABs can be identified by water, appearing as green, brown, red, or gold in color, and may look like foam, scum, paint, or mats on a water surface,” said Katelyn Parkhurst, director of Environmental Health for the Oswego County Health Department. “They can become very abundant in warm, shallow, undisturbed surface water that receives a lot of sunlight. When this occurs, the algae can form blooms that float on the water surface and discolor the water. Unpleasant tastes or odors are not reliable indicators.”

“Consuming water that contains high levels of algal toxins has been associated with health effects on the liver and the nervous system in pets, livestock and people,” added Parkhurst. “Livestock and pet deaths have occurred when animals consume very large amounts of accumulated algal scum from along shorelines.”

Oswego County Public Health Director Vera Dunsmoor recommends people take these precautions to avoid exposure and associated health risks:
– Never drink untreated surface water, whether algae blooms are present or not.
– Only swim at permitted beaches where water is monitored routinely.
– People, pets and livestock should avoid contact with water that is discolored or has scum on the surface. If contact does occur, wash with soap and rinse with clean water to remove algae.
– Avoid wading, boating or fishing near algal blooms, and do not eat fish caught from waters with blooms.
– If contact occurs and symptoms such as vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, skin, eye or throat irritation, allergic reactions, or breathing difficulties develop, seek medical attention immediately. Reports should be made to the health department only if the contact occurs at a permitting swimming beach.

The Oswego County Health Department’s Environmental Division monitors water quality at public swimming beaches, including reports of suspected algal blooms. Anyone who suspects blue-green algae in a permitted swimming area should call the health department weekdays at 315-349-3557.

Reports of HABs in non-permitted waters should be reported to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation by going to https://dec.ny.gov/environmental-protection/water/water-quality/harmful-algal-blooms/notifications.

For more information about blue-green algae and its health effects, visit http://www.health.ny.gov/environmental/water/drinking/bluegreenalgae.htm. Additional information can also be found at https://dec.ny.gov/environmental-protection/water/water-quality/harmful-algal-blooms

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