Health advisory issued for Spirit Lake

The Panhandle Health District and the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality recently issued a public health advisory for Spirit Lake.

PHD and DEQ are urging the public to use caution when recreating in or near the water, "especially where ingestion is a risk."

Water quality monitoring confirmed the presence of cyanobacteria, also known as a harmful algae bloom or blue-green algae along the shoreline of Spirit Lake.

Caution should be taken anywhere where the water appears discolored or murky as HABs can spread or move with wind and water currents, a press release said.

"HABs have the potential to produce dangerous toxins especially when accumulated in high concentrations," the release said.

The physical appearance of these blooms can be unsightly, often presenting as discolored water, streaks or globs of scum and causing thick green mats along lake shorelines.

Pets, children, the elderly and people with compromised immune systems are most at-risk of harmful exposure, according to the release.

Anyone recreating in Spirit Lake is advised to take precautions to avoid exposure to lake water appearing to contain a HAB. Private domestic water system owners utilizing the lake as a drinking water source are cautioned that potentially present toxins cannot be removed by boiling or filtering the water.

Symptoms of exposure to algal toxins vary according to exposure. Symptoms include rashes, hives, diarrhea, vomiting, coughing and/or wheezing. More severe symptoms affecting the liver and nervous system may result from ingestion of water.

The public will be advised when the concern no longer exists.

Other water bodies that remain under health advisories in North Idaho are Hayden Lake, Fernan Lake, Sagle Slough and Boyer Slough.