Officials warn Round Lake has dangerously high algae bloom toxin

PORTLAND, Ore. ( KOIN ) — Health officials are warning the public to avoid the water at Round Lake in Camas due to dangerously high toxin levels from algae blooms .

“Results from water samples taken from Round Lake on Monday, Aug. 12 revealed cyanotoxins above the threshold levels recommended by the Washington Department of Health,” Clark County officials said in a release. “Warning signs are being placed at public access points at the lake.”

The toxins can be harmful to anyone but pose a particular risk to young children, officials said. For small pets, cynotoxins can be deadly when ingested.

Clark County Public Health gave the following recommendations while the advisory is in place at Round Lake:

• No swimming or water skiing.
• No water contact for animals.
• Avoiding areas of scum when using motorized boats, paddle boarding, kayaking or canoeing.
• No drinking lake water.
• Cleaning fish well and discarding organs.

The Lacamas Lake advisory warning is still in place while the recent Vancouver Lake advisory was lifted on Aug. 9, officials said. All three lakes will continue to be monitored, officials said.

The toxins pose health risks if they are ingested, inhaled or make contact with skin.

Symptoms can include coughing and wheezing when inhaled; rashes, blisters and eye irritation if made in contact with skin; and nausea, diarrhea, tingling in fingers and toes, and numbness of lips when ingested.

Earlier this month, a dog reportedly died after ingesting water that had algae bloom toxins in Columbia County, Oregon, off of the north point of Sand Island.

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