Alberta Health Services has issued an advisory to residents and recreational users of Eagle Lake to take precautions against illness from an invasion of blue-green algae.
Health officials say residents and visitors should be aware of the danger of the irritating algae that has been blooming in the lake, 40 kilometres east of Calgary.
People in the area are advised to take the following precautions:
- Do not drink water from or allow your pets to drink water from this lake. Boiling contaminated water does not remove toxins from the water. Provide an alternative source of drinking water for pets and livestock.
- Do not swim of wde or allow your pets to swim or wade in this lake.
- Avoid contact with blue-green algae along the shoreline.
- People may wish to limit their consumption of fish from this lake.
The algae produce a toxin that can cause serious illness to animals or humans who drink or have contact with water containing the toxin.
Those who come in contact with or ingest water containing blue-green algae may experience:
- Skin irritation
- Rash
- Sore throat
- Sore red eyes
- Swollen lips
- Fever
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
Health officers say the symptoms usually appear within one to three hours and take one to two days to clear the system.
Officials say that the toxin can stay in the water even after it looks like the algae has disappeared.
The advisory will remain in effect until further notice.
Anyone who suspects a problem related to blue-green algae or who needs more information, should call Health Link Alberta at 1-866-408-LINK (5465).
