Alberta Health Services has issued a blue-green algae advisory for Lake Isle, located northwest of Edmonton.

Provincial health officials are warning about the dangers of blue-green algae in the waters of Lake Isle, located northwest of Edmonton.

Alberta Health Services is advising residents living near the shores of the lake, as well as visitors to the area, to take the following precautions:

• Do not drink water from or allow your pets to drink water from Lake Isle. Boiling contaminated water does not remove toxins. Provide an alternative source of drinking water for pets and livestock.
• Do not swim or wade or allow your pets to swim or wade in the lake.
• Do not consume any fish from the lake.
• Avoid contact with blue-green algae along the shoreline.

The health authority says most blue-green algae blooms are short-lived, but because of temperature changes and the long-term weather forecast the health advisory will remain in effect until further notice.

The algae produce a toxin that can cause serious illness to animals or humans who drink or have skin contact with the water containing this poison.

People who come in contact with or ingest water containing toxic blue-green algae may experience skin irritation, rash, sore throat, sore red eyes, swollen lips, fever, nausea and vomiting and/or diarrhea. Symptoms usually appear within one to three hours and last one to two days.

People who use contaminated water as a primary source for drinking may develop more serious illnesses, such as liver damage, over time. Symptoms in children are often more pronounced because they spend more time in the water and are more likely to accidentally ingest contaminated water.