EDMONTON- Alberta Health Services (AHS) has issued a blue-green algae advisory for Lake Isle, located about 90 kilometres west of Edmonton.
Blue-green algae produces a poison that can cause serious illness to animals and humans who drink or have contact with infected water.
AHS is urging residents and visitors of Lake Isle to take the following precautions:
– Do not drink water from Lake Isle: Boiling contaminated water does not remove toxins from the water. Provide an alternative source of drinking water for pets and livestock
– Do not swim in the water: Humans and animals are being advised not to swim or wade in the lake
– Avoid contact with blue-green algae
– Limit consumption of fish from Lake Isle
Health officials say people who come into contact with or drink water containing blue-green algae may experience skin irritation, rash, sore throat, sore red eyes, swollen lips, fever, nausea and vomiting and/or diarrhea.
Symptoms usually appear within one to three hours of contact and resolve within a day or two, according to AHS. However, symptoms can be more sever in children.
If you experience a problem related to blue-green algae, or if you require further information on blue-green algae, you can phone Health Link Alberta at 1-866-408-5465.
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