Blue-green algae, also known as cyanobacteria, are in full bloom at Eagle Lake.
According to Alberta Health Services (AHS), almost 40 bodies of water have been affected throughout the province, including the lake just south of Strathmore.
Several precautions have been put in place, including:
- Avoid all contact with cyanobacterial blooms. If contact occurs, wash with tap water as soon as possible.
- Do not swim or wade or allow your pets to swim or wade in any areas where cyanobacteria are 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, as it is known that fish may store toxins in their liver. (People can safely consume fish fillets from this lake.)
Symptoms of algae exposure include skin irritation, sore throat, red eyes, swollen lips, fever, and nausea.
According to AHS, the symptoms can appear within an hour after exposure and usually clear up within a few days. The group added that exposure to pets could be fatal.
Blue-green algae has a scum-like appearance on the surface of water, similar to grass clippings, fuzz, or globs.
AHS added that areas where the algae has not bloomed is still safe for recreational activities.