Lake Erie Harmful Algal Bloom Health Information
Harmful algal blooms (HABs) of cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) in Lake Erie can produce toxins that can pose a risk to drinking water, cause skin irritation, and negatively affect wildlife, pets and livestock.
Effects on Humans
- Contact with skin can cause rash, hives, or skin blisters (especially on the lips and under swimsuits).
- Inhalation of water droplets can cause runny eyes and nose, a sore throat, asthma-like symptoms, or allergic reactions
- Ingestion of the water can cause abdominal pain, headache, sore throat, nausea and vomiting, dry cough, diarrhea, blistering around the mouth, and pneumonia.
- What you can do:
- Contact your healthcare provider OR regional health department.
Effects on Animals
- Ingestion of the water can cause lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, pale mucous membranes, death.
- What you can do:
- Seek medical treatment immediately if you suspect your pets or livestock have been exposed.
How can you Avoid Exposure?
- Drinking Water
- Health officials conduct routine monitoring to ensure that public drinking water is safe.
- What you can do:
- Follow drinking water advisories and contact your regional health department with questions.
- Recreational Water Safely
- You can still boat and recreate in Lake Erie waters, but be aware that HABs may be present.
- What you can do:
- If you can, plan your trip by checking NOAA's HAB Bulletin before you go.
- Respect any waterbody closures announced by local public health authorities.
- Avoid activities in areas where the water is discolored by algae or scums are visible.
- Thoroughly wash yourself and pets after suspected contact with a HAB.
- Recreational Fishing
- Commercial fish from local restaurants and markets is safe to eat because it is tested for HAB toxins before it is sold.
- What you can do:
- Fillet the meat, thoroughly removing the skin, gills, and guts (which may have accumulated toxins from the HAB).
- Rinse the fillet meat with clean water.
- Thoroughly wash hands after filleting fish.
For Local Health Information
For Information on Blooms or to Report Suspected Blooms
A man holds a glass of water from Lake Erie during a harmful algal bloom with the drinking water supply intake for the city
of Toledo in the background. Photo copyright Dave Zapotosky.
