JACKSON, Wyo. — As the temps rise and more people head toward the water to recreate, the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (WDEQ), the Wyoming Department of Health (WDH) and the Wyoming Livestock Board (WLSB) sent out an annual reminder to avoid harmful cyanobacteria blooms (HCBs).
According to the WDEQ, cyanobacteria is also known as blue-green algae and can form HCBs that pose risks to human and animal health. HCBs usually appear in mid-to-late summer and can occur in streams, rivers, lakes and reservoirs. They can vary in appearance — they can be green, tan, brown or blue-green, and can float in or on the water, producing cyanotoxins and other irritants. HCBs can often look like spilled paint, clumps, grass clippings or scum. They can also stick to surfaces underwater like rocks or plants.
If a person or animal is sick after exposure to a cyanobacteria bloom, seek medical attention or a veterinarian. More information on the health risks and symptoms can be found on WDH’s website. The WDH will follow up on all HCB illnesses reported, and the WDEQ will investigate potential blooms to determine if they are harmful. The WDH will also issue different levels of advisories for bodies of water where HCBs could pose a risk to people and animals.
To view a webmap of current and past advisories, to view answers to frequently asked questions, or to report a suspected bloom or bloom-related illness, visit the WDEQ webpage here.
If a suspected bloom is present, the WDH and WLSB recommend the following:
- Avoid contact with water in and around the bloom, especially in areas where cyanobacteria are dense.
- Do not swallow water from the bloom. Boiling, filtration or other treatments will not remove toxins.
- Rinse fish with clean water and eat only the fillet portion.
- Avoid water spray from the bloom.
- Do not allow pets or livestock to drink water near the bloom, eat bloom material or lick fur after contact.
- If people, pets or livestock come into contact with a bloom, rinse off with clean water as soon as possible.
