LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Lake County Public Health is urging boaters and recreational users to be cautious after recent testing of samples of Clear Lake’s water has confirmed the detection of a harmful toxin in three locations.
The recommendation is based on the potential health risks from low levels of anatoxin which was detected in three out of five water testing samples obtained on Sept. 17.
The three locations where the anatoxins were found are Jago Bay/Jones Bay Anderson Road in Lower Lake, Redbud Park in the city of Clearlake and at the Sulphur Bank Mercury Mine, county officials reported.
Public Health reported that anatoxin hasn’t been seen in Clear Lake for several years.
Anatoxin is different from microcystin, the algae toxin that is typically found in the lake and for which warning signs have been posted in the past.
The levels that have been detected are lower than the level that would trigger a warning notice, but Gary Pace, MD, Lake County’s interim Public Health officer, encourages caution when in contact with the lake water in the affected areas.
Caution signs have been placed at Redbud Park, the public area where these low levels of the toxin were detected, and the private parties have been contacted. Further testing will be performed next week.
Water monitoring is done as a service to the community by Big Valley Band of Pomo Indians and Elem Indian Colony.
Anatoxins can pose health risks, particularly to children and pets. County officials urge people to choose safe activities when visiting the areas with signage and wherever blooms are visible.
It is strongly recommended that people and their pets avoid contact with water and avoid swallowing lake water in an algae bloom area
Recommendations from the Statewide Guidance on Cyanobacteria and Harmful Algal Blooms include the following:
• Take care that pets and livestock do not drink the water, swim through algae, scums or mats, or lick their fur after going in the water. Rinse pets in clean water to remove algae from fur.
• Avoid wading, swimming, jet or water skiing in water containing algae blooms, scums or mats.
• Do not drink, cook or wash dishes with untreated surface water from these areas under any circumstances; common water purification techniques such as camping filters, tablets and boiling do not remove toxins.
• People should not eat mussels or other bivalves collected from these areas. Limit or avoid eating fish from these areas; if fish are consumed, remove the guts and liver, and rinse filets in clean drinking water.
• Get medical treatment immediately if you think that you, your pet, or livestock might have been poisoned by cyanobacteria toxins. Be sure to alert the medical professional to the possible contact with cyanobacteria. Also, make sure to contact the local county public health department at 707-263-1090.
Possible health effects or symptoms of contact with anatoxin include tingling, burning, numbness, drowsiness, incoherent speech, salivation and respiratory paralysis leading to death.
Seek immediate medical assistance if you experience these symptoms after contact with water from the lake.
Contact Public Health for more information or to report an exposure at 707-263-1090
For current lab results, please visit the Big Valley Band of Pomo Indians cyanotoxin monitoring Web site.
Latest testing detects harmful toxins at three Clear Lake locations
- Lake County News reports
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