Many species of blue-green algae (also called cyanobacteria) have the potential to produce toxins that are harmful to the health of humans and animals. The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit is recommending all persons take the following precautions around waterways where blue-green algae is visible:

• Do not drink water from private water supplies that draw from or are impacted by the area of the lake where blue-green algae has been identified.

• Do not use the private surface water supply taken from affected lake water for the preparation of infant formula.
• Do not swim or engage in other water sport activities where an algae bloom is visible. Blooms may make the water look bluish-green, or like green pea soup or turquoise paint.
• Do not allow pets or livestock to drink or swim in the water where an algae bloom is visible.
• Fish taken from waters with cyanobacterial blooms have the potential to contain toxins. Exercise caution when eating fish caught in water where blue-green algae blooms occur.
• Do not use herbicides, copper sulphate or other algaecides that may break open algae cells and release toxins into the water.

Symptoms following contact or consuming toxins from a blue-green algae bloom can include skin, eye or throat irritation, breathing difficulties, headaches, fever, diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting. Symptoms can be more serious if water is swallowed in large quantities.

The health unit and the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks will continue to work together to monitor the algal bloom and will provide updates on SMDHU’s website.

For more information about blue-green algae visit smdhu.org/algae or call Health Connection at 705-721-7520 or 1-877-721-7520, weekdays between 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The post Blue-Green Algae Bloom Advisory For Leonard Lake In The Township Of Muskoka Lakes appeared first on Muskoka411.

The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit is asking residents and visitors to exercise caution where blue-green algae is visible and to take the following precautions:

• Do not use the lake water for the preparation of infant formula
• Do not allow pets or livestock to drink or swim in the water where an algae bloom is visible
• Be cautious about eating fish caught in water where blue-green algae blooms occur
• Do not use herbicides, copper sulphate or other algaecides that may break open algae cells and release toxins into the water
• Avoid swimming and other water sport activities where an algae bloom is visible.

Blooms may make the water look bluish-green, or like green pea soup or turquoise paint.

Many species of blue-green algae (also called cyanobacteria) have the potential to produce toxins that are harmful to the health of humans and animals. The Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks will be further analyzing samples to determine the presence of any toxins.

Symptoms from consuming toxins from a blue-green algae bloom can include headaches, fever, diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, and can be more serious if water is swallowed in large quantities.

The health unit and the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks will continue to work together to monitor the algal bloom and updates will be provided on our website (www.smdhu.org/algae) as we receive new information.

To learn more about blue-green algae visit the health unit website at www.simcoemuskokahealth.org, or call Health Connection weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 705-721-7520 or 1-877-721-7520.

The post Leonard Lake In Muskoka Lakes Cautioned About Blue-Green Algae Bloom appeared first on Muskoka411.