Child Hospitalized from Blue-Green Algae Exposure in Alexandria

Minnesota’s Pollution Control Agency said Wednesday a child was hospitalized after coming into contact with toxic blue-green algal bloom in Lake Henry in Alexandria.

“While both of these instances occurred in the Alexandria area, blue-green algae blooms can impact lake waters throughout Minnesota”, the MPCA said in its statement issued this week in advance of the holiday weekend.

Swimmers should steer clear of toxic algae patches floating along the northern shores of Lake Washington.

This catastrophe led to the creation of legislation, Assembly Bill 300 which, if passed by the senate and signed into law by the Governor later this year, would provide training and a centralized database for local water authorities to test and report unsafe algae blooms. If water containing algal toxins is ingested, health effects include stomach aches, diarrhea, vomiting, and nausea.

“If it looks and smells bad, don’t take a chance”. Three dogs died in December and January after drinking up algae-infested water at Lake Chabot Regional Park in Castro Valley.

The Alberta scientists were testing a new method for early detection of freshwater cyanobacteria. Additionally, Shinn Pond in Fremont also contains algae bloom and park district officials warn dog owners not to let their dogs swim the pond. High exposure can cause rashes, irritation, headaches and gastrointestinal upset. Children and pets are particularly susceptible. It is safe to eat fish caught during a harmful blue-green algae outbreak, as long as the fish is rinsed with clean water; consume only the fillet portion and discard all other parts.