Clinton Lake Scare...

{Courtesy of Herald and Review}
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Blue-green algae in Clinton Lake source of concern
Posted: Tuesday, July 13, 2010 3:01 am

CLINTON - The mother of an Urbana girl sickened after swimming at Clinton Lake is urging people to use caution when going into the water at the DeWitt County reservoir.

Sandra Pierson said Monday she doesn't want people to panic, but she thinks they should be aware her 12-year-old daughter was in an Urbana hospital Friday through Sunday for apparent blue-green algae poisoning. Doctors told Pierson no test can confirm the diagnosis, but the fact her daughter had several symptoms of the condition and responded to treatment are strong signs for blue-green algae.

Blue-green algae are common in Central Illinois lakes and other bodies of water, but some produce chemicals that can have a toxic effect on humans, pets and livestock, said the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

"You don't want to start a panic or anything like that. However, there could be kids out there who are vomiting and being treated for a virus when in actuality they should be checked for this," Pierson said.

On Friday, DNR officials issued a precautionary warning after learning a dog died after drinking water at Clinton Lake on July 4. Boaters, swimmers and other lake users are being warned to avoid ingesting lake water and refrain from swimming in areas where stagnant water or algae blooms are present.

DNR spokeswoman Januari Smith was unaware of the sick girl until a reporter informed her on Monday.

The DNR is consulting with the Illinois Department of Public Health about the next step, Smith said. At this point, precautionary warning signs have been posted and water is being tested for potential blue-green algae blooms.

Officials hope to have test results by the end of the week, Smith said.

According to information from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, blue-green algae are a group of bacteria often referred to as "pond scum." It generally grows in lakes, ponds, and slow-moving streams when the water is warm and enriched with nutrients like phosphorus or nitrogen. In rare cases, the algae can produce toxins that can make people sick after contact with the skin, through inhaling, or by swallowing contaminated water. Symptoms include rashes, irritation to eyes, the nose and throat, headaches, fever, nausea, stomach cramps, vomiting and diarrhea. Animals can die from exposure, the Wisconsin DNR information said.

Pierson said her daughter had a 103-degree fever, nausea, headaches and a recurring rash. The girl immediately vomited after swallowing water while playing July 3 at the Clinton Lake beach, her mother said.

The flu-like symptoms persisted over the next few days, but Pierson didn't connect the illness to the lake-water exposure until the girl's grandmother, Julie Collins, learned about the DNR algae warning Friday from Danny Williams who owns Green Acres Campground at the lake.

Coincidentally, Collins and Josh and Cassie McConkey, who owned the poodle that died, often stay at Green Acres.

After Pierson told doctors about the warning, her daughter was treated for blue-green algae by using fluids to flush her system, which includes drinking a cup of water every 15 minutes at home, said her mother.

srichardson@pantagraph.com

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It's funny, because my husband and I were commenting on how we'd probably not want to return to Clinton beach (even though years ago it was lovely)..because he found a bat skull, and the water wasn't a clear blue like normal, and the large amount of rocks, etc.
Well, now this scares me, we were just there swimming on the 7th.

Anywhoo--This is concerning, just wanted everyone know.

Love,
Ash