Prevention Tips

 Avoid direct contact with water that has unusual color, odor, or where advisory signs are posted. This means no swim- ming, wading, paddling, diving, or water -skiing in affected waters.

 If direct contact has been made with water containing cyanobacteria, wash off with fresh water. In some cases, skin irritation will appear after pro- longed exposure. If symptoms persist, consult your local health care provider. Harmful Algal Blooms  Never drink untreated water. Do not Cyanobacteria drink water from an area where cyano- VDH Hotline bacteria have been identified. (Blue-Green Algae) 1-888-238-6154  Do not let children, pets, or livestock get into or drink from affected waters.

 People that are prone to respiratory al- lergies or asthma should avoid areas with cyanobacterial blooms.

 Do not eat internal organs of fish caught in waters containing cyanobac- teria. If you have cleaned fish taken from affected waters, thoroughly wash any of your skin that has come into contact with the fish. Photo Credit: Yvonne Johnson, Fairfax County Park Authority

 Use rubber gloves if contact with af- 109 GOVERNOR ST. fected waters must be made. RICHMOND, VA 23219 804-864-8141 WWW.VDH.VIRGINIA.GOV/EPIDEMIOLOGY/DEE/HABS What are Cyanobacteria? Human Health Effects Cyanobacteria are single-celled organisms Cyanobacteria can cause illness in people if that naturally exist, mostly in freshwaters. exposed to water containing cyanotoxins or Sunlight is used as their primary energy cell components in the following ways: source and cells can grow rapidly or “bloom” when water is warm, stagnant, and excess Ingestion: nutrients are in the water such as nitrogen Abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and phosphorous. Cyanobacterial blooms and liver damage can result from swallowing may produce a film or surface scum on the affected waters. water that is most commonly a green or blue- green color. Cyanobacterial blooms occur Dermal Contact: mostly in the late spring, summer, and fall. Skin irritation, rashes, itching, conjunctivitis, and eye irritation can result from direct skin contact with affected waters. Toxic Cyanobacterial Blooms Some cyanobacteria produce toxins that are Inhalation: harmful to people and animals, and are often Respiratory irritation such as chest tight- Report Cyanobacterial Blooms ness, shortness of breath, coughing, and referred to as Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs). If you see a cyanobacterial bloom, water of Cyanotoxins can affect the liver and central wheezing can result from breathing air or aspirating affected waters. an abnormal color, or a fish kill, please call: nervous system. One of the common cyanotoxins is microcystin and is most com- Dept. of Environmental Quality monly produced by the cyanobacteria, Micro- Are Fish Safe to Eat? (804) 698-4000 cystis aeruginosa. The consumption of fish flesh (muscle) is considered safe. However, some cyanotox- Report Suspected Illnesses Animal & Fish Effects ins can accumulate in fish organs such as If you are concerned that you have symp- the liver, kidney, stomach, and intestines. toms from exposure to cyanobacteria, Animals and pets can be seriously harmed please see your doctor, call your local from drinking water with high levels of cyano- Before eating, thoroughly clean the fish, dis- health department, and please call: bacteria or cyanotoxins. Animals licking a wet card organs, and wash hands afterwards. coat of fur from waters affected with cyano- VDH Harmful Algal Bloom Hotline bacteria or toxins can also lead to illness or 1-888-238-6154 death. When cyanobacterial blooms dissipate VDH Algal Bloom Surveillance Map and decay, the dissolved oxygen in the water http://www.vdh.virginia.gov/epidemiology/DEE/ Telling your doctor about contact with water can be depleted and fish may die as a result. HABS/HABmap.htm may help him/her treat the illness properly.