The Oregon Health Authority on Thursday announced a recreational-use advisory for Turner Lake, and officials are urging people to avoid swimming and high-speed water activities due to the presence of a cyanobacteria bloom.
Water ingestion is the major route of exposure to to cyanobacteria. Toxins are not absorbed through skin, but those with skin sensitivities may get a puffy red rash.
Activities such as camping, hiking, biking, picnicking, bird watching, canoeing and kayaking are safe, according to OHA officials. Boating is safe at lower speeds that do not create excessive water spray. High-speed boating and water skiing can increase the risk of inhaling cyanotoxins.
OHA recommends not eating fish from areas where cyanobacteria blooms. Health risks are unknown.
Do not drink the water
Toxins can not be removed by boiling, filtering or treating water with camping-style filters. Drinking water directly from areas affected by a bloom is dangerous.
Children, pets at increased risk
Due to activity level and size, children and pets are at an increased risk from exposure to cyanotoxins.
"Dogs can get extremely ill and even die within minutes to hours of exposure to cyanotoxins by drinking the water, licking their fur or eating the toxins from floating mats or dried crust along the shore," OHA officials said.
Symptoms similar to food poisoning
Symptoms due to exposure to cyanotoxins can be stomach cramping, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. More serious symptoms such as numbness, dizziness and shortness of breath may require medical attention.
Dogs may exhibit symptoms such as weakness, difficulty walking, seizures, lethargy and loss of appetite.
Emma Logan is an outdoors journalism intern for the Statesman Journal. She can be reached at elogan@salem.gannett.com or on X @emmmalogan
This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Turner Lake health advisory issued due to cyanobacteria bloom harmful to pets, people
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