Alberta Health Services is warning visitors and residents near Lake Isle that blue-green algae have been found in the waters of the lake located north-west of Edmonton.
Anyone living or planning to visit the lake is asked to take the following precautions:
- Not drink water, or allow pets to drink water from the lake, boiling the water does not make it safe for consumption.
- Not swim or wade, or allow pets do the same in the lake.
- Not eat fish from the lake.
- Avoid any contact with algae washed up on the shore.
AHS said most blue-green algae blooms last only a few days, however due to temperature changes and the weather forecast the advisory will remain in effect until further notice.
The algae produce a toxin that when touched or ingested can cause serious illness in humans, and has been blamed for the death of some domestic animals.
Symptoms of blue-green algae poisoning in humans may include fever, headaches, dizziness, stomach cramps, vomiting and diarrhea, skin and eye irritation, sore throat and swollen lips.
AHS said symptoms most often clear up within two or three days.
Several lakes in Alberta have been put under blue-green algae advisories this summer, including Pigeon Lake, Wizard Lake and Calling Lake.
