Recreational use advisory lifted for Malheur Reservoir

MALHEUR COUNTY – (Release from OHA) Oregon Health Authority (OHA) has lifted the recreational use health advisory issued for Malheur Reservoir in Malheur County.

OHA issued the advisory on July 9.

OHA lifted the advisory based on sampling that confirmed levels of cyanotoxins in Malheur Reservoir to be below recreational guideline values for people, and because the summer recreational season has ended. Although the levels detected are below the recreational use values for people, they continue to be well above OHA’s educational guideline values for dogs. Owners and hunters should be aware of the potential exposure to their pets while at the reservoir, especially shallow, marshy areas where cyanobacteria blooms can form, or cyanobacteria can be present on green algae, growing from the sediment or on rocks.

OHA advises dog owners and hunters to continually be alert to signs of cyanobacteria blooms, or areas of the reservoir that look suspicious, especially during this time of year when water levels are low. Blooms can develop and disappear on any water body at any time, even in the fall and winter if conditions are favorable. Only a fraction of waterbodies in Oregon are monitored for cyanobacteria, blooms and toxins during the recreation season, and no monitoring or sampling is performed once recreation season has ended. It is very important for people to become familiar with signs of a bloom, exposures, and symptoms by visiting OHA’s Cyanobacteria Harmful Algae Bloom website at http://www.healthoregon.org/hab.

Although many types of cyanobacteria can create scum that make the water look foamy, thick like pea green or blue green paint was spilled or develop thick brownish-red mats or bright green clumps, some are less visible or recognizable. These cyanobacteria anchor themselves at the bottom of a water body, live in the sediment and on rocks, or can grow on aquatic plants and release toxins into clear water that can be harmful to your dog if exposed.

As dog owners you can take certain precautions to reduce your pet’s exposure to any toxins that may be present.

• Do not let your dog drink from the reservoir, lick scum off rocks or eat aquatic plants
  • Bring water from home for your dog to drink
• Do not let your dog lick their fur after being in the reservoir and wash them with clean water
• Look for signs of distress or symptoms while at the reservoir. Symptoms can include:
  • diarrhea
  • vomiting
  • loss of energy or appetite
  • lack of muscle control, stumbling or falling
  • drooling
  • convulsions, tremors, or seizures.

If you observe any unusual behavior from your pet or notice any of the symptoms listed, transport them to a veterinarian clinic immediately, inform the veterinarian of any potential exposure to a cyanotoxin, and follow up with the OHA to report an illness at 971-673-0482.

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Elkhorn Media Group