Pattison Lake still under toxic algae advisory

Thurston County health officials have extended a toxic blue-green algae advisory for Pattison Lake after taking new water samples earlier this week.

Water samples taken May 3 from the lake, located between Mullen Road and Yelm Highway east of Capitol City Golf Course, found the algae toxin Anatoxin-a at 6.30 micrograms per liter of water, above the state standard of 1.0 micrograms per liter for recreational water use.

Anatoxin-a is a neurotoxin, which means it affects the nervous system. Contact your doctor or veterinarian right away if you or your pets show any signs or symptoms of poisoning after contact with lake water. Symptoms of neurotoxin poisoning can appear within 15-20 minutes after ingesting toxic algae.

In animals, signs include weakness, staggering, difficulty breathing, convulsions, and death.

In people, signs may include muscle cramps, twitching, numbness of the lips, tingling in fingers and toes, and dizziness.

Warning signs are posted at public access points and boat launches on the lake.

The lake will be monitored weekly until algae levels are at or below the state standard and the advisories can be lifted.

While not all algae blooms are toxic, some algae can produce toxins that can harm the nervous system, the liver, the skin, and the stomach and intestines. Experts from the county's Environmental Health Division recommend a few simple tips to help prevent illness from algae:

▪ Avoid swimming, wading, wind surfing and water-skiing in waters where algae blooms are present.

▪ Don't drink untreated surface water.

▪ Keep pets and livestock out of waters with algae blooms.

▪ When fishing, catch-and-release is the safest practice. If you do eat your catch, clean any fish you catch thoroughly if you see algae blooms. Before eating, remove the internal organs, which may contain harmful algae toxins.

Avoid areas of scum when boating and clean your boat thoroughly.

This story was originally published May 6, 2016 at 4:53 PM with the headline "Pattison Lake still under toxic algae advisory."