Health alert issued for Henry’s Lake

A health advisory was issued today for Henry’s Lake in Island Park, Idaho by Eastern Idaho Public Health and the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality. Water samples confirmed the presence of the blue-green algae species Microsystis, Anabaena, and Aphanizomenon – species that can produce potentially dangerous toxins. Precaution is advised. The public will be advised when the concern no longer exists.

Blue-green algae are naturally occurring, microscopic bacteria. The physical appearance of blue-green algae blooms can be unsightly, often causing thick green mats along shorelines. They might also cause an unpleasant odor or stench. They occur in water conditions that are common during the warmer summer months.

People recreating near Henry’s Lake are advised to avoid swallowing or inhaling water and to avoid direct contact with water containing visible algae. Drinking water from the lake is especially dangerous and the toxins cannot be removed by boiling or filtering the water. If people choose to eat fish from this area, they should remove all fat, skin, and organs before cooking since toxins are more likely to collect in those tissues.

Children and pets are particularly susceptible to the effects of blue-green algae. People exposed to blue-green algae might experience skin and eye irritation, nausea, diarrhea, numbness of hands and feet, and/or difficulty breathing. If symptoms occur, call your doctor. For animals, symptoms might include muscle spasms, decreased movement, labored breathing, convulsion, and death. If pets are experiencing these symptoms, call your veterinarian immediately.

For questions about blue-green algae, please contact Troy Saffle, Surface Water Manager at the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality. He can be reached at (208) 528-2650.

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Information provided by Eastern Idaho Public Health