Blue-green algae advisory issued for Shiningbank Lake

An Alberta Health Services sign can be seen in this undated file photo. (File)

Alberta Health Services has issued a blue-green algae warning for the waters of Shiningbank Lake south of Whitecourt, Alta.

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

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Symptoms usually appear within one to three hours of exposure and typically resolve within a couple of days.

Exposure to the bacteria can be fatal to pets.

Blue-green algae can look like scum, grass clippings, fuzz or globs on the water’s surface. It can be blue-green, greenish-brown, brown or pinkish-red and often smells musty or grassy.

The health authority says to avoid all contact with blue-green algae blooms and to wash with tap water as soon as possible if exposed.

People are urged not to swim or wade or allow pets to do so in areas where blue-green algae is visible.

Feeding whole fish or fish trimmings from the lake to pets can be fatal. It is also recommended that people limit their consumption of whole fish or fish trimmings from the lake. Fish filets from Shiningbank Lake are safe for human consumption.

Water where algae is not visible can still be used for recreational purposes during the health advisory.

Shiningbank Lake, a popular camping and fishing spot, is about 170 kilometres west of Edmonton.