OHA release – As summer approaches, we want to remind people heading outdoors to enjoy Oregon’s lakes, rivers and reservoirs to be on the lookout for potentially toxic cyanobacteria. Cyanobacteria are beneficial bacteria found in all fresh water worldwide. The bacteria can multiply into blooms in any water body under the right conditions — warm weather, sunlight, water temperature, nutrients and water chemistry. Many blooms are harmless, but some can produce cyanotoxins that make people and animals sick. Symptoms include diarrhea, cramps, vomiting, numbness, dizziness and fainting. Learn more about how to spot and avoid harmful algae blooms and how to prevent and treat illness from exposure to cyanotoxins. Find up-to-date fresh water advisories in Oregon on the OHA website.
