These bodies of water in Alberta are under a blue-green algae advisory

Alberta Health Services has issued blue-green algae advisories for the following bodies of water this summer:

Residents living near the shores and visitors to the affected bodies of water are encouraged to take the following precautions:

Cyanobacteria is naturally occurring, and is most visible when conditions are calm.

It can appear like scum, fuzz or grass clippings, and is often blue-green, greenish-brown, brown, or pinkish-red.

It can smell musty or grassy.

The bacteria can cause skin irritation, rash, sore throat, sore red eyes, swollen lips, fever, nausea and vomiting and or diarrhea.

Symptoms generally appear within one to three hours after exposure, and resolve within one or two days.

Children are more likely to suffer adverse effects from the bacteria, and it could be fatal in pets.

AHS says water that does not have visible cyanobacterial blooms can still be used for recreational purposes.