Blue-green algae forms in Hastings Lake

A blue-green algae advisory has been issued for Hastings Lake in Strathcona County, Alberta Health Services said in a news release.

Residents and visitors to the lake are being told not to drink or swim in the water. AHS said even boiling contaminated water won’t remove toxins. People should also avoid contact with it on shorelines. AHS said people may also want to limit their consumption of fish from the lake while the advisory is in effect.

Blue-green algae produces a toxin that can cause serious illness to animals or humans who drink or have skin contact with it, the release said. Although weather and wind conditions can cause algae blooms to move from one location in the lake to another, the toxin can stay in the water even after algae has moved or disappeared.

People who come in contact with or ingest water containing toxic blue-green algae may experience skin irritation, rash, sore throat, sore red eyes, swollen lips, fever, nausea and vomiting and/or diarrhea.

Symptoms usually appear within one to three hours and resolve in one to two days. Symptoms in children are often more pronounced because they spend more time in the water and are more likely to accidentally ingest contaminated water.

The advisory remains in effect until further notice.