WALDPORT – The Oregon Health Authority has issued a recreational-use health advisory for Eckman Lake due to a cyanobacteria bloom and cyanotoxins.
The agency said Tuesday that the bacteria and toxins pose a danger to human and animal health and that people should avoid swimming and other water activities where blooms are present. Boating is safe if speeds are limited so as not create a spray which could be inhaled, the OHA said in a news release.
Risk of illness is most often caused by ingesting affected waters but people with sensitive skin may get a puffy red rash.
Children and pets are at increased risk because of size and activity level, the OHA said. Dogs can get extremely ill and even die within minutes to hours of exposure to cyanotoxins.
Toxins cannot be removed by boiling, filtering or treating water with camp-style filters, the notice said. And not all private treatment systems can effectively remove cynotoxins. People who may draw water directly from the area are advised to use an alternative water source.
Fish caught where cyanobacteria blooms are present may pose health risks and the OHA advised not to eat them.
The OHA said symptoms from exposure range from stomach cramping, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting to numbness, tingling, dizziness and shortness of breath, and may require medical attention. Dogs can experience weakness, difficulty walking, seizures, lethargy and loss of appetite. If a dog exhibits symptoms, veterinary treatment should be sought immediately.
For more information or to report an illness, contact OHA at 971-673-0482, or visit OHA’s Cyanobacteria (Harmful Algae) Blooms website.
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