Blue-green algae advisory issues for Waskesiu Lake
The Prince Albert National Park has issued an advisory that blue-green algae may be present in Waskesiu Lake. They also mention it may be present in other parts of the park.
Blue-green algae produces a toxin (poison) that can cause serious illness to animals and humans who drink or have skin contact with water containing this toxin.
Symptoms of blue-green algae poisoning in humans may include fever, headache, dizziness, stomach cramps, vomiting, diarrhea, skin and eye irritation, sore throat and swollen lips. Symptoms seldom persist for more than two or three days. While there are no recorded deaths in humans as a result of contact with blue-green algae, it has been fatal to dogs and cattle who have ingested the toxin.
Parks Canada is advising visitors to be cautious. When blue-green algae may be present, visitors are advised to avoid:
- drinking from or allow your pets to drink the affected water source
- swimming or allowing your pets to swim or wade in affected water source
- contact with blue-green algae dried on the shorelines. If you suspect a blue-green algae-related health concern, please contact your health care provider.
View the official statement at: https://parks.canada.ca/pn-np/sk/princealbert/securite-safety/bulletins/d0834570-cefc-4df1-a832-a034c2ca4ca1
For more beach information and testing data from the provincial Healthy Beaches Program, visit the Beaches page.
