Algae bloom found at wildlife refuge
By Terry Murry on Monday, August 15th, 2022 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
BURBANK — The Walla Walla County Department of Community Health has been notified by the Washington State Department of Ecology that cyanobacteria, otherwise known as blue-green algae, has been discovered at McNary National Wildlife Refuge in Burbank.
Cyanobacteria can be harmful to people and fatal to animals. Due to toxicity levels and out of an abundance of caution, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, in coordination with DCH, has closed the lake.
In its toxic form, blue-green algae can kill pets, waterfowl, and other animals. It can also cause serious illness to humans. People and animals can be exposed to cyanotoxins by skin contact with water containing tiny droplets in the air that contain toxins, or eating fish or shellfish that contain toxins. Exposure may result in stomach pain, headache, muscle weakness, dizziness, vomiting, diarrhea, and liver damage.
McNary visitors should not swim, fish, boat, drink the water or engage in any other water contact activities until further testing shows the toxins are reduced to safe levels. Typically, the toxin remains in the water for about one week after the bloom disappears. For more information, visit https://www.nwtoxicalgae.org
