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Blue-green algae advisories lifted for 5 Alberta lakes

Officials are lifting blue-green algae advisories for five lakes. The algae can produce a toxin known to cause illness in any animals or humans who come into contact with it. File / Global News

Alberta Health Services has lifted warnings about toxic blue-green algae for Clear Lake, Pine Coulee Reservoir, Twin Valley Reservoir, Severn Creek Reservoir and Eagle lake.

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In a Wednesday statement, health officials said recent weather has “cooled lake and reservoir water temperatures to such an extent that blue-green algae is no longer a health concern.”

Exposure to or ingestion of blue-green algae can cause rash, sore eyes or throat, swollen lips, fever, nausea and vomiting or diarrhea.

Children are often more severely affected. Symptoms usually resolve in a day or two.

The algae, also known as cyanobacteria, occurs naturally.

It can look like scum, grass clippings, fuzz or globs on the surface of water.

It can be blue-green, greenish-brown, brown, and/or pinkish-red, and often smells musty or grassy.

Advisories remain in place for several other lakes. You can find more information here.

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