How do cyanobacteria blooms impact human and animal health?
Toxins from cyanobacteria harmful algae blooms (cyanoHABs) can make humans and animals sick.
Children, people with weakened immune systems, and pets are most at risk. This page covers how our health can be effected.
Human Illness Symptoms
Toxins from cyanoHABs can cause the following symptoms if swallowed:
- Bad taste in mouth
- Loss of appetite
- Malaise or lethargy
- Headache or fever
- Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
- Bloody diarrhea
- Blood in urine or dark urine
- Acute hepatitis or jaundice
- Tingling
- Numbness
- Burning sensation
- Drowsiness
- Salivation
- Sleep disturbances
Direct skin contact with cyanotoxins can cause skin rashes. People can also be exposed to toxins from certain products that have cyanobacteria in them (like "blue-green algae" supplements). The US Food and Drug Administration’s Blue-Green Algae Products and Microcystins webpage has more information.
When to Seek Care
Symptoms generally begin within 24 hours and last 72 hours. If you have severe diarrhea, vomiting, skin irritation or other related symptoms, or you experience these symptoms for more than 72 hours, you should seek medical attention. Let your health care provider know that you may have been exposed to cyanotoxins from a bloom. We also encourage submitting an illness report to OHA.
Getting care can ease some symptoms to make you more comfortable. It will also help to prevent severe dehydration or other problems.
If you have an ongoing liver or kidney condition, you should seek medical evaluation if you think your condition is getting worse. It may be hard to know if symptoms are related to cyanotoxin exposure, but it is important not to ignore them.
Pet Illness Symptoms
Dogs are especially vulnerable to cyanotoxins because of their size and activity level. Even low levels of toxins can be deadly. Dogs may have symptoms within the first hour of exposure. Get veterinary help right away if your dog shows symptoms like:
- Drooling
- Weakness
- Vomiting
- Staggering
Available SupportIf you believe you or your pet have been exposed to a cyanoHAB, OHA staff are available to answer health related questions and to receive and document illness reports. You can also report an illness online using the links below. If your dog has been exposed to cyanotoxins, OHA staff can help you submit a urine sample for testing.
When you contact us, our program can also provide you with contact information for our partners who can give you the most up-to-date information about local recreation areas, water quality, and sampling.
Resources for Physicians and Veterinarians