Swimming advisories issued for Lake Anna due to toxic algae bloom

RICHMOND, Va. (WSET) -- The Virginia Department of Health has extended advisories for thePamunkey and North Anna Branches of Lake Anna in Orange, Louisa and Spotsylvania counties due to an algae bloom.

VDH says exposure to the algae, called cyanobacteria, can be harmful to people and cause a skin rash and gastrointestinal illnesses.

The results of these samples indicate that concentrations of potentially harmful algae species exceed safe swimming levels at Fishermans Cove in Spotsylvania County.A no-swimming advisory has been issued for Fishermans Cove.

They recommend people avoid going in the water when the algae concentrations are this high.

They included an interactive harmful algal bloom map for a complete list of areas on Lake Anna under advisory.

The advisories in effect will be lifted only after a minimum of two consecutive weeks of acceptable levels for algal cell counts and/or toxin concentration.

To prevent illness, people should:

• Avoid contact with any area of the lake where water is green or an advisory sign is posted.
• Do not allow children or pets to drink from natural bodies of water.
• Keep children and pets out of the areas experiencing a harmful algae bloom and quickly wash them off with fresh water after coming into contact with algae.
• If you or your animals experience symptoms after swimming in or near an algal bloom, seek medical/veterinarian care.
• If you suspect you experienced health-related effects following exposure to a bloom, contact the Virginia Harmful Algal Bloom Hotline at 1-888-238-6154

To learn more about harmful algae blooms or to report an algae bloom or fish kill go online.