EDMONTON – If you’re spending the weekend at Pigeon Lake, you’re being advised to avoid the water, which has been found to contain blue-green algae that can make you sick.
The algae produces a poison that can cause serious illness to both animals and people who drink or come into contact with water that contains the toxin.
Residents living near the shores of Pigeon Lake, as well as visitors are advised to take the following precautions:
• Don’t 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.
• Don’t swim or wade or allow your pets to swim or wade in this lake.
• You may wish to limit their consumption of fish.
• Avoid contact with blue-green algae along the shoreline.
This advisory will remain in effect until further notice.
Symptoms of those who have been affected by the toxic blue-green algae include skin irritation, rash, sore throat, sore red eyes, swollen lips, fever, nausea and vomiting and/or diarrhea. These symptoms usually appear within one to three hours and resolve in one to two days.
Symptoms in children are often more pronounced because they spend more time in the water and are more likely to accidentally ingest contaminated water.
Two other blue-green algae advisories remain in effect for lakes in the Edmonton area.
A blue-green algae warning was issued on July 24 for Lac Ste. Anne, a lake about 75 kilometres northwest of Edmonton where, days earlier, people had waded into the water to offer their prayers at an annual religious pilgrimage.
An advisory was issued for Lake Isle, located northwest of Edmonton, on July 10.
If you suspect a problem related to blue-green algae, or if you require further information on blue-green algae, please call Health Link Alberta at 1-866-408-LINK (5465).
With files from Postmedia News
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