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The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), in conjunction with the Kansas State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, can confirm that toxic blue-green algae is responsible for the death of one dog and suspected death of two others. The two dogs suspected of blue-green algae poisoning are presently undergoing testing at the K-State Laboratory. In all three instances, the dogs had been in the water at Milford Lake, which is in Clay, Geary and Dickinson Counties.
“We were deeply sorry to hear of the loss of a beloved pet,” said Dr. Ingrid Garrison, State Public Health Veterinarian. “We urge people, and their pets, to avoid contact with water where harmful algae blooms are present. If your pet has been in contact with water that has a toxic blue-green algae bloom, immediately rinse them off with fresh water and contact your veterinarian.”
Garrison said veterinarians should report any suspect blue-green algae-related illness in animals as it can serve as a sentinel for human illnesses.
Since May, when blue-green algae was first detected during the 2011 season, there have been 17 reported cases of human illness after exposure to blue-green algae. KDHE cannot confirm these cases are a direct result of blue-green algae exposure because external factors like medical history could be an underlying cause.
“We are testing bodies of water across the state and alerting Kansans as soon as we see a blue-green algae spike,” explained Tom Langer, Director for the Bureau of Environmental Health. “Visitors to the lake should be very careful. Check our website often, look for posted signs at lakes; take the extra time to make sure your site doesn’t have a blue-green algae problem.”
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), in conjunction with the Kansas State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, can confirm that toxic blue-green algae is responsible for the death of one dog and suspected death of two others. The two dogs suspected of blue-green algae poisoning are presently undergoing testing at the K-State Laboratory. In all three instances, the dogs had been in the water at Milford Lake, which is in Clay, Geary and Dickinson Counties.
“We were deeply sorry to hear of the loss of a beloved pet,” said Dr. Ingrid Garrison, State Public Health Veterinarian. “We urge people, and their pets, to avoid contact with water where harmful algae blooms are present. If your pet has been in contact with water that has a toxic blue-green algae bloom, immediately rinse them off with fresh water and contact your veterinarian.”
Garrison said veterinarians should report any suspect blue-green algae-related illness in animals as it can serve as a sentinel for human illnesses.
Since May, when blue-green algae was first detected during the 2011 season, there have been 17 reported cases of human illness after exposure to blue-green algae. KDHE cannot confirm these cases are a direct result of blue-green algae exposure because external factors like medical history could be an underlying cause.
“We are testing bodies of water across the state and alerting Kansans as soon as we see a blue-green algae spike,” explained Tom Langer, Director for the Bureau of Environmental Health. “Visitors to the lake should be very careful. Check our website often, look for posted signs at lakes; take the extra time to make sure your site doesn’t have a blue-green algae problem.”
