Blue-green algae bloom alerts issued

ELIZABETHTOWN | As summer's heat and humidity rachet up, so do reports of cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) blooms — also referred to as "harmful algae blooms," or "HABs" — in our lakes and ponds. On July 5, the Essex County Health Department (ECHD) and several Adirondack towns posted warnings on their Facebook pages giving locations of currently active blooms. Moriah: Bulwagga Bay and the Port Henry Beach have been closed to swimmers until further notice. Town of Essex: Whallons Bay, extending north along the shoreline nearly to the Crater Club; closed until further notice. Point au Roche: Point au Roche State Park's beach is closed for swimming due to harmful algal blooms forming in the swimming section. The beach will be closed until conditions clear for 24 hours and tests come back clear. Beach results are available at parks.ny.gov/recreation/swimming/beach-results. SIGNS OF EXPOSURE TO HABS When people are exposed to cyanotoxins, adverse health effects may range from a mild skin rash to serious illness or in rare circumstances, death. Acute illnesses caused by short-term exposure to cyanobacteria and cyanotoxins include hay fever-like symptoms, skin rashes, respiratory and gastrointestinal distress. Exposure to drinking water contaminated with elevated concentrations of microcystin and cylindrospermopsin could cause liver and kidney damage. WHAT TO DO IF YOU HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO HABS If you do come into contact with water that is known to be contaminated with cyanobacteria and/or cyanotoxins, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends that you rinse off with clean, fresh water as soon as possible. Seek medical treatment right away if you think you or someone you know might have been poisoned by cyanobacterial toxins, especially when any of the symptoms mentioned above are recognized. PROTECT YOUR DOG Dogs often fall victim to HABs because of their penchant for drinking and splashing around in open water. Don't let your dog drink or swim in water if: It's slimy or looks like foam, scum or mats on the surface of the water. The color is weird. Harmful algal blooms can be blue, bright green, brown or red and may look like paint floating on the water. It stinks. Some (but not all) harmful algae produce a nauseating smell. WHAT TO DO IF YOUR DOG HAS BEEN EXPOSED TO HABS If you think your dog has gotten into a harmful algae bloom: Rinse him or her off immediately. Wear gloves to protect yourself and give your dog a thorough rinse in clean, fresh water. Watch for symptoms. Symptoms can arise anywhere from 15 minutes to several days after exposure. Take pets to the vet immediately if they suffer from: Diarrhea or vomiting Weakness or staggering Drooling, difficulty breathing or convulsions Report the bloom to your local health department. ECHD will update reports of beach closings and openings on their website: essexcountyny.gov/health. To report suspicious algae (blue-green algae) online, go to survey123.arcgis.com. For more about blue-green algae and your health, link to health.ny.gov/publications/6563.pdf or dec.ny.gov/chemical.

Signup for our newsletter

Blue-green algae bloom alerts issued

COMPANY

CUSTOMER SUPPORT

SUBMISSION FORMS

BEYOND THE NEWS