The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare has issued a health advisory for part of the Bruneau Arm in Owyhee County near CJ Strike Reservoir. The department urged caution to recreationists in a Tuesday statement, identifying that a harmful algal bloom has been found around the Cottonwood Creek Boat Ramp in the southwest area of Bruneau Arm.
Harmful algae produces toxins that “can be harmful to people, pets, and livestock,” according to the department. They warned Idahoans to avoid any contact with the water and ensure pets and livestock also stay away.
“Blooms don’t all look the same,” the department wrote in the statement. “They may look like mats, foam, spilled paint, or surface scum, and have a foul odor.”
Advisories were also issued for Crane Creek Reservoir in Washington County and Hordemann Pond in Moscow in the same department statement.
The new advisories come after toxic algae blooms were detected in Brownlee and Hells Canyon reservoirs last week. While the advisory for Hells Canyon has been lifted, Brownlee remains under the health advisory, according to the DHW.
The department said contact with harmful blooms can cause rashes, hives, eye irritation and respiratory symptoms. Drinking the contaminated water could result in liver damage for people and animals, they added.
“Dogs may become sick before humans because they are more likely to swim in or drink contaminated water or lick contaminated water or bloom material off their fur,” the department said. “If your pets or livestock have been in the water, immediately wash them with clean water to keep them from licking cyanobacteria off their bodies.”
The department encouraged people to speak with their health care provider if they believe they may be sick from harmful algae, and to seek a veterinarian if they believe their livestock or pets may be sick.
Idahoans can track toxic algae advisories and other health advisories through an interactive map from the DHW.
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