US EPA

7420906 

Journal Article 

Human illnesses and animal deaths associated with freshwater harmful algal blooms-Kansas 

Trevino-Garrison, I; Dement, J; Ahmed, FS; Haines-Lieber, P; Langer, T; Ménager, H; Neff, J; van Der Merwe, D; Carney, E; , 

2015 

1 

Toxins
ISSN: 2072-6651 

MDPI 

BASEL 

7 

2 

353-366 

English 

25647780 

10.3390/toxins7020353 

WOS:000353967500008 

http://www.mdpi.com/2072-6651/7/2/353
Exit
 

Freshwater harmful algal bloom (FHAB) toxins can cause morbidity and mortality in both humans and animals, and the incidence of FHABs in the United States and Kansas has increased. In 2010, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) developed a FHAB policy and response plan. We describe the epidemiology of FHAB-associated morbidity and mortality in humans and animals in Kansas. Healthcare providers and veterinarians voluntarily reported FHAB-associated cases to KDHE. An investigation was initiated for each report to determine the source of exposure and to initiate public health mitigation actions. There were 38 water bodies with a confirmed FHAB in 2011. There were 34 reports of human and animal FHAB-associated health events in 2011, which included five dog deaths and hospitalization of two human case patients. Five confirmed human illnesses, two dog illnesses and five dog deaths were associated with one lake. Four human and seven dog cases were exposed to the lake after a public health alert was issued. Public health officials and FHAB partners must ensure continued awareness of the risks to the public, educate healthcare providers and veterinarians on FHAB-related health events and encourage timely reporting to public health authorities. 

Blue-green algae; Canine; Cyanobacteria; Cyanotoxin; Dog; Harmful algal bloom; Hepatotoxin; Microcystin; alanine aminotransferase; bacterial toxin; colestyramine; microcystin; bacterial toxin; cyanobacterial toxin; fresh water; marine toxin; microcystin; adolescent; adult; algal bloom; Anabaena; animal disease; Article; clinical assessment; cyanobacterium; disease surveillance; dog; dog disease; enzyme linked immunosorbent assay; female; freshwater harmful algal bloom; health care personnel; health impact assessment; human; male; microbial identification; Microcystis; middle aged; nonhuman; public health; risk assessment; United States; veterinarian; water sampling; adverse effects; animal; chemically induced; Drug-Induced Liver Injury; environmental monitoring; legislation and jurisprudence; microbiology; policy; procedures; veterinary; water pollution; algae; Animalia; Canis familiaris; Chlorophyta; Cyanobacteria; Animals; Bacterial Toxins; Dog Diseases; Dogs; Drug-Induced Liver Injury; Environmental Monitoring; Fresh Water; Harmful Algal Bloom; Kansas; Marine Toxins; Microcystins; Public Health; Public Policy; Water Microbiology; Water Pollution, Chemical