Blue-green algae blooms in Pigeon Lake prompt health advisory

Blue-green algae has made its annual summer appearance in Pigeon Lake.

Alberta Health Services is advising people to take precautionsafter a cyanobacterial bloom was foundin some areas of the popular central Albertalake.

People who come in contact with the algae bloomsor ingest water contaminated by the algae may experience skin irritation, a rash, a sore throat,red eyes, swollen lips, fever, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

The symptomsare often more pronounced in children andusually appear within one to three hours of exposure. Theydisappear in one to two days, according toan advisory issued Friday by AHS.

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Blue-green algae appearslike scum, grass clippings, fuzz or globs on the surface of water.

AHS says residents and visitors to the lake should take take the following measures to avoid exposure:

• Avoid all contact with blue-greenalgaeblooms. If contact occurs, wash with tap water as soon as possible.
• Do not swim or wade,or allow your pets to swim or wadein any areas where blue-green algae is visible.
• Do not feed whole fish or fish trimmings from this lake to your pets.
• Consider limiting human consumption of whole fish and fish trimmings from this lake, but fish fillets from the lake can be safely consumed.

Alberta Health Services says weather can cause algae blooms to move from one location in the lake to another, and the advisory will remain in effectuntil further notice.