State health, wildlife officials issue blue-green algae advisories for eight Kansas lakes

TOPEKA, Kan. — The Kansas Department of Health and Environment and the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks have issued public health advisories for several Kansas lakes due to blue-green algae, as the state's harmful algae bloom monitoring season continues.

Kansas' water recreation season runs from April 1 through Oct. 31, and the state's harmful algal bloom (HAB) response program is active throughout that period. Officials are urging Kansans to stay alert while swimming, boating or fishing in or on the water.

A harmful algae bloom can resemble foam, scum or paint floating on the water's surface and may appear blue, bright green, brown or red, according to the advisory. Blooms can develop quickly, and officials advise avoiding water that looks suspicious or has decaying algae along the shoreline, and keeping dogs away from those areas. The toxins can be absorbed through ingestion, inhalation of aerosols, or skin contact, and exposure can cause symptoms such as rash, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, sore throat and headache.

As of Friday, lakes under a warning-level advisory included:

• Gathering Pond, Geary County
• Jetmore City Lake, Hodgeman County (added June 26)
• King Lake, Lyon County
• Kirwin Lake, Phillips County (added June 26)
• Lake Afton, Sedgwick County
• Marion Reservoir, Marion County
• Pomona Lake, Osage County
• Wellington Lake, Sumner County

Officials said anyone — or any pet — that comes into contact with algae should rinse the affected area with clean, fresh water as soon as possible. Suspected algae-related illnesses in humans or animals, regardless of the season, can be reported to KDHE at kdhe.ks.gov/1163.

Source: Sumner County Health Department, Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1505826888222598&set=a.314178730720759