Blue-Green Algae Is Back (And It's Bad For People & Dogs)

Memorial Day weekend is widely known as the unofficial start of summer. While water enthusiasts and pets enjoy swimming and boating when the weather is warm and sunny, these conditions are also perfect for growing blue-green algae, which can be harmful to both people and animals in Minnesota.

Last summer, blue-green algal blooms were reported in lakes across the state. The Minnesota Department of Health investigated two reported human illnesses and multiple dog deaths following exposure to blue-green algae. With the mild spring weather this year, blooms may already be present in Minnesota lakes.

People are exposed to the algae's toxins by swallowing or having skin contact with water or by breathing in tiny droplets of water in the air. Dogs are at particular risk, as they are usually exposed to larger amounts of toxins from algae because they tend to swallow more water than humans while swimming, especially when retrieving toys from the water. They also lick their coats upon leaving the water, swallowing any algae that may be on their fur.

Not all blue-green algae are toxic, but there is no way to tell whether a bloom is toxic by looking at it. Pam Anderson from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency says,