A cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) advisory has been issued for Pigeon Lake, located south of Edmonton between Leduc County and the county of Wetaskiwin.
Visitors to the lake are advised to avoid all contact with cyanobacterial blooms. If contact occours, wash with tap water as soon as possible.
Do not swim or wade or allow your pets or children to swim or wade in any areas where cyanobacteria is visible.
Do not feed whole fish or fish trimmings to pets, and avoid eating the liver of the fish, as toxins are known to be stored in the liver. People can safely consume fish fillets.
Cyanobacteria is naturally occouring and typically appears like scum, grass clippings, fuzz or globs on the surface of the water. It is typically blue-green, greenish-brown or pinkish-red, and often smells musty or grassy.
People who come into contact with cyanobacteria may experience throat irritation, rash, sore throat, sore red eyes, swollen lips, fever, nausea and vomiting and/or diarrhea. Symptoms usually appear within a few hours and resolve within a few days. Exposure to bacteria may be fatal to some pets.
