Being a Clinton County native, summer notifications of harmful algal blooms (HABs) at local beaches are nothing new. Certain places in our County provide the perfect recipe for HABs – lots of sunlight; shallow, calm water; and warm temperatures. It is important to pay attention to these alerts or notifications to keep everyone safe and healthy. They can help decide which beaches to choose for a fun day on the water with your favorite humans and dogs.
What are they?
HABs are the rapid growth of cyanobacteria (sometimes referred to as
blue-green algae). These blooms create toxins that can be harmful to people and
animals. Coming in contact with, drinking (or swallowing), or even inhaling
these toxins can make you very sick. Symptoms
vary based on which cyanotoxin
(a list I cannot pronounce) but can include: stomach pain, headache, muscle
weakness, dizziness, vomiting, and diarrhea. If you think you might have
symptoms caused by HABs, contact your healthcare provider and let them know you
suspect it may be related to cyanobacteria.
Decided you don’t feel like wasting your summer days at home sick with any of the gross symptoms listed above? Me either! Here is what to look for before going in the water.
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| Figure 1 |
Don’t go in water that:
- Smells bad.
- Looks discolored.
- Has foam, scum, algal mats, or paint-like streaks on the surface.
- Has dead fish or other animals washed up on the shore.
See figure 1 for examples of blooms. Before you visit a local swimming area, find out if it has a current blooms, or a history of blooms by clicking here.
You should also NEVER drink, prepare food, cook, or make ice with untreated surface water – whether it has an active bloom or not. Do not fill pools with water directly from lakes, rivers, or ponds.
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| Figure 2 |
Don’t forget about your fur babies.
If they are anything like mine (say hi to Cami in figure 2), getting them to leave the beach is the hardest part of the day. Dogs can be at an increased risk of poisoning by cyanobacteria because of their general behaviors – swimming, drinking the water, and eating dead animals (like fish) found near the shore. Contact your veterinarian immediately if your pet seems sick after going in or near water. Some signs and symptoms include: excessive salivation, vomiting, fatigue, staggered walking, difficulty breathing, and convulsions.
Pets or kids raced ahead and went in the water before you saw something sketchy? Don’t panic. Rinse them, and yourself, off immediately with tap water from a sink, shower, hose, or outdoor spigot. Don’t let your pets lick their fur until they have been thoroughly rinsed.
If you come across a suspected bloom, it is important that you report it. For us that means visiting the DEC page here. Be sure to take a photo of the suspected bloom, you will attach it to your report.
Some blooms are short lived, dispersing in a few days. Others last
longer. Best practice is to check the database
before selecting which beach to visit. If you see something you don’t like,
stay out and report it. Not sure what you are seeing? When in doubt, stay out!
Principal Public Health Educator
Division of Health Planning & Promotion
