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 precautions after a cyanobacterial bloom was found in some areas of the popular central Alberta lake.

People who come in contact with the algae blooms — or 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 symptoms are often more pronounced in children and usually appear within one to three hours of exposure. They disappear in one to two days, according to an advisory issued Friday by AHS. 

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Blue-green algae appears like 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-green algae 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 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 effect until further notice.