LAKEWOOD – Health officials are advising the public to avoid Loma Lake this weekend – and perhaps for much longer – after tests taken Friday afternoon found unsafe levels of a toxic form of algae.
Three forms of bacteria found in a blue-green algae bloom on the lake produce microcystin, a toxin that attacks the liver. Nicknamed Annie, Fannie and Mike, their scientific names are anabaena, aphanizomenon and microcystis.
People can get sick and even die if they drink water contaminated with microcystin, but pets are most at risk, said Bob Pekich, director of environmental health at the Snohomish Health District.
The health district issued a warning late Friday afternoon, posting signs at a boat launch at the lake and contacting the media. While the public is warned to stay out of the water this weekend, the district does not have authority to close the lake, Pekich said.
The lake is surrounded by homes and public access is mostly limited to one boat launch.
“Stay out of the water, and don’t drink it,” he said. “I would avoid” the lake.
Symptoms of microcystin poisoning include nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, said Gene Williams, a senior planner at Snohomish County’s Surface Water Management Division.
“We would be concerned about people being in the water,” Williams said.
He said it doesn’t take much for a dog to get sick, saying a dog could become ill after going for a swim in the lake and then licking itself dry. He said cattle have died after drinking water contaminated by microcystin.
Williams said his department discovered the algae as part of a new testing system begun last week. Under the program, the county will spend the summer sampling lakes to look for high concentrations of the three bacteria.
Loma Lake and Lake Ketchum, north of Stanwood, were the only two lakes that showed bacteria levels high enough to warrant more detailed testing, Williams said. As many as 27 lakes have been sampled so far.
Lake Ketchum came up negative after more testing, he said.
It’s unclear to how long it will take for Lake Loma to be safe again, Williams said. Last year, one lake remained unsafe all summer, he said.
“It’s going to be retested again on Monday,” he said.
Only one other case of microcystis contamination has been reported in Snohomish County, in Lake Ketchum about five years ago.
Williams said there may have been many more cases, but the cost and difficulty of testing made finding out difficult until now.
Reporter Lukas Velush: 425-339-3449 or lvelush@ heraldnet.com.
Annie, Fannie and Mike
Snohomish Health District officials have found high levels of three forms of potentially toxic blue-green algae in Loma Lake – anabaena, aphanizomenon and microcystis, nicknamed Annie, Fannie and Mike.
Anabaena and microcystis: Both are common in lakes and reservoirs with high nutrient concentrations. Their presence can impart noxious odors and disagreeable tastes to the water, and they may secrete poisonous toxins that can be lethal to wildlife and livestock. Anabaena may also cause skin irritation and nausea in humans.
Aphanizomenon: Resembles lawn-mower clippings and floats in dense mats on the surface of the water. Intense sunlight kills aphanizomenon, discoloring the water and releasing foul odors. Some studies have suggested this species produces toxins.
Source: The Manitoba Water Quality Handbook, www.gov.mb.ca/water stewardship/water_guide/ info/glossary.html
Health tips
1. Avoid lakes with obvious blue-green algae blooms, which look like scum or greenish pudding floating on the surface close to shore.
2. Don’t drink the water or let animals drink it, or do anything in the water that could bring it into contact with your face or mouth.
3. If you swim or wade, take a soapy shower as soon as possible afterward.
5. You can eat healthy-looking fish caught in the water if you clean them first and discard their internal organs.
For more information: Call the Snohomish County Health District at 425-339-5295.
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