Rashes, diarrhea and vomit: Lakes across Central Virginia close due to algae bloom

[mahatmakanejeeves]

EDITOR'S PICK
SWIMMING ADVISORY

Rashes, diarrhea and vomit: Lakes across Central Virginia close due to algae bloom

LUKE FOUNTAIN The Daily Progress 1 hr ago

As temperatures and lakeside land development rise, people can expect to see more toxic bacteria in the lakes of Central Virginia. ... Lake Anna in Louisa County is the most recent example of a growing trend; state officials have announced it is unsafe to swim in the water because of algae blooms.

Exposure to blue-green algae, or cyanobacteria, can cause in skin rashes and gastrointestinal illnesses, including symptoms such as upset stomach, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. That’s why the Virginia Department of Health continues to advise people to not swim in Lake Anna as well as six other sites in the commonwealth until toxic levels are reduced.

“You do not want to touch blue-green algae,” Richmond Times-Dispatch meteorologist Sean Sublette told The Daily Progress. “People can become extremely ill if you ingest it, and your skin can break out in rashes. Take much caution near it and do not swim in it.”

Cyanobacteria blooms in freshwater bodies because of excess nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus from human activities, including agricultural runoff and wastewater discharge.

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A harmful algal bloom map is regularly updated to reflect the advisory status of Lake Anna.

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@Luke_Fountain25 on Twitter

[snowybirdie]

1. That's all the news

talks about here in SW Florida. Warm temperatures and fertilizer run off are the problems.

[PlutosHeart]

2. In the air also.

[phylny]

3. We live on Smith Mountain Lake.

Part of the lake was identified as having blue-green algae bloom, but it was not near us. Fortunately, our section of the lake is away from agricultural runoff and has water that flows well and it’s not stagnant.

Living in a politically red area as we do, some people who live around here were complaining that they were doing “too much testing.“ They felt it was going to keep people from coming. I responded, “Imagine how few people will come if we can’t fish and swim in this lake because of toxic algae.”