The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is urging residents and visitors to be cautious about blue-green algae, also known as harmful algae blooms (HABs), in state waters during the summer. The department states that these algae occur naturally but can multiply quickly in warm, nutrient-rich water, sometimes producing toxins dangerous to humans and potentially fatal to pets.
According to the department, people who come into contact with toxic algae may experience symptoms such as skin irritation, rashes, digestive problems, low energy, fever, headache, or sore throat. The recommended response is to shower or rinse with fresh water immediately and consult a healthcare provider if symptoms develop.
Pets are at higher risk because they are more likely to drink contaminated water. Symptoms in animals include drooling, diarrhea, vomiting, low energy, loss of appetite, stumbling, and tremors. If exposure is suspected, owners should remove their pet from the water right away and prevent them from licking their fur or paws until they are rinsed with clean tap water. Owners should watch for symptoms and contact a veterinarian if needed. For additional support regarding possible poisoning cases involving pets or people, Poison Control can be reached at 1-800-222-1222.
The department advises the public to check conditions before entering bodies of water by contacting local authorities responsible for those areas and following posted signs. “The only way to know whether algae is toxic is to test for it. When in doubt, stay out,” the department said.
Information on recently reported blooms can be found on the state’s toxic algae dashboard; however, conditions can change rapidly so the dashboard may not always reflect current situations.
To help prevent future outbreaks of toxic algae blooms throughout the year, residents are encouraged to reduce sources of excess nutrients by picking up pet waste properly, limiting fertilizer use, and reducing de-icers containing nitrogen or urea.
Suspected toxic algae sightings can be reported by calling ToxCall at 303-692-2606 or emailing cdphe_toxcall@state.co.us. More information is available at https://coepht.colorado.gov/toxic-algae.
