Blue-green algae advisory issued for two lakes in the M.D.

Alberta Health Services has issued a Blue-green algae advisory for two lakes in the Municipal District of Bonnyville.

Muriel Lake and Moose Lake have both been found to contain Blue-green algae. AHS recommends avoiding all contact with blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) blooms. 

AHS also recommends the following: 

• Do not swim or wade (or allow your pets to swim or wade) in any areas where blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) 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, as it is known that fish may store toxins in their liver. (People can safely consume fish fillets from this lake). 

Boiling the water will not remove the toxins produced by blue-green algae. An alternate source of drinking water should also be provided for pets and livestock, while this advisory is active. 

People or animals who come in contact with visible blue-green algae (cyanobacteria), or who ingest water containing blue-green algae (cyanobacteria), may experience the following symptoms: 

• skin irritation 
• rash 
• sore throat 
• sore, red eyes 
• swollen lips 
• fever 
• nausea 
• vomiting 
• Diarrhea 

Symptoms usually appear within one to three hours and resolve in one to two days.