Health Advisories Lifted For Milford And Marion

KSAL Staff - Thu 04:49 PM 06/21/2012

Advisories for Milford and Marion lifted

Kansas health officials lift health advisories for several area lakes. The Kansas Department of Health Thursday afternoon lifted advisories for Milford Lake, Marion Reservoir and Winfield City Lake. The advisories had been prompted by blue-green algae.

When an advisory has been lifted, health officials say visitors to the lake should still exercise caution and look out for algae blooms in the water, as conditions can change quickly depending on the weather. Some algae blooms can look like foam, or a thick slurry. The blooms can be blue, bright green, brown or red, and they may look like paint floating on the water. However, some blooms may not affect the appearance of the water.

Skin contact can cause allergic reactions. Ingesting the infected water can cause diarrhea, vomiting and even death. Animals can die from drinking too much water affected by the blooms.

The toxic bloom sickened more than a dozen people in Kansas last year and killed at least five dogs.

CURRENT WARNINGS & ADVISORIES

WARNING: High levels of toxic blue-green algae have been detected. A Public Health Warning indicates that water conditions are unsafe and direct water contact (wading, skiing and swimming) is prohibited.

Kansas public waters currently under a “Warning” status:

Logan City Lake, Phillips County *previously at an Advisory*

Memorial/Veterans Lake – Great Bend, Barton County

When a Warning is issued, KDHE recommends the following precautions be taken:

· Humans, pets and livestock do not drink lake water

· Water contact is prohibited. Avoid swimming, wading or other activities with full body contact of lake water

· Clean fish and rinse with clean water, consume only the fillet portion, and discard all other parts

· Do not allow pets to eat dried algae

· If lake water contacts skin or pet fur, wash with clean potable water as soon as possible

· Avoid areas of visible algae accumulation

ADVISORY: Harmful blue-green algae have been detected. A Public Health Advisory indicates that a hazardous condition exists. Water activities like boating and fishing may be safe; however, direct contact with water (i.e., wading, swimming) is strongly discouraged for people, pets and livestock.

Kansas public waters currently under an “Advisory” status:

Old Herington City Lake, Dickinson County * downgraded from Warning*

Cedar Bluff Reservoir, Trego County

Lovewell Reservoir, Jewell County

South Lake, Johnson County

When an Advisory is issued, KDHE recommends the following precautions be taken:

· Humans, pets, and livestock do not drink untreated lake water

· Clean fish and rinse with clean water, consume only the fillet portion, discarding other parts

· Do not eat or allow pets to eat dried algae

· If lake water comes in contact with skin or pet fur, wash with clean potable water as soon as possible

· Avoid areas of visible algae accumulation

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