If you have been out and about you might have noticed signs warning of Harmful Algal Blooms (HAB) at certain bodies of water. For example, signs at Matt Warner Reservoir indicate serious danger and that the waters are closed to public use. It’s important for all to read and obey posted signs because while there have been no human deaths in the United States from the toxins of algal blooms, there are plenty of pet, livestock and wildlife deaths. Symptoms of exposure to watch for from animals is fatigue, excessive drooling or saliva, staggering, difficulty breathing, vomiting or convulsions. Human symptoms of exposure can be categorized into three types of exposure. First, if you swallow the water there is vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, dizziness and trouble breathing. Second, if the toxins touch your skin you can have eye irritation, rash, hives, blisters and sores. Finally, if you breathe in some droplets there will be nose irritation, sore throat, coughing, asthma-like symptoms and respiratory problems.
