Blue-green algae bloom at North Shore beach is a first, health unit says

MARATHON — A confirmed blue-green algae bloom at a public beach in Pukaskwa National Park is a first for that area, according to public health officials.

On Aug. 15, the Thunder Bay District Health Unit advised of the bloom at Hattie Cove in Pukaskwa. Public health inspector Matt Bradica said it was found at the public beach and observed on Aug. 6 and Aug. 11. Because it was found in a national park, Parks Canada took a sample collected on Aug. 11 to the Ontario Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks for testing; the health unit was subsequently notified on Friday when the results came back positive, he said.

Bradica said the health unit’s records show it’s the first confirmed cyanobacteria bloom at that site.

“This is the first time we've seen it, it's not often we have blue-green algae blooms on Lake Superior, but Hattie Cove is a bay,” he said. “It's shallow, warm water and it was found on the beach, so that's usually places where you would see potential blue-green algae grow on Lake Superior.”

According to the Pukaskwa National Park Facebook page, Parks Canada closed the beach until further notice on Aug. 11 when testing was being done. They also advised visitors to check with parks staff at the kiosk or visitor centre for details about where clean drinking water can be accessed.

The health unit’s Friday notice advised people to avoid drinking the water, swimming in it or using it for any household purpose. Not only should those precautions be taken while the bloom is present, but also for about two weeks after it visibly disappears.

The toxic blooms are becoming more prevalent on the water in the Northwest, particularly affecting inland lakes.

“Whenever a blue-green algae bloom is present, they have the potential to produce harmful toxins that people can be exposed to in a few different ways,” Bradica said, adding that includes swallowing it, coming into contact with it through the skin, and inhalation of contaminated droplets.

That means they cause a raft of health problems, ranging from rashes, eye, nose and throat irritation to digestive issues and neurological symptoms like headaches, muscle weakness and fever.

Much more severe, but rare, consequences can include things like liver and kidney damage and death, he said.

Children are generally more at risk, Bradica added.

He also advised people to keep an eye on their pets around cyanobacteria blooms, as animals can particularly be at risk. The health unit’s advisory said “their smaller size and habit for drinking lake water makes them more vulnerable.”

“There have been cases, like even in Ontario, of animals, particularly pets like dogs, dying after exposure to blue-green algae blooms,” Bradica said.