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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Harmful algae bloom found in Spirit Lake

Algae photographed in Spirit Lake on Friday.  (Courtesy of Panhandle Health District)

The Panhandle Health District issued a public health advisory for Spirit Lake on Monday, after officials confirmed the presence of a harmful algae bloom along the shoreline.

Harmful algae blooms contain cyanobacteria, and officials are asking people to use caution if recreating in or near the water, especially if ingestion of the water is a risk.

Blooms are characterized by discolored water and a thick, green scum that can appear on the shorelines.

If a harmful algae bloom is present, the water is not safe to drink for pets or humans, and neither boiling nor filtering the water will remove the toxins, according to a news release from the district.

Children, elderly adults, people with compromised immune systems and pets are most at risk of harmful exposure, including death.

People who have had contact with water are advised by health officials to wash off with fresh water.

Symptoms of exposure to the toxins could include a rash, hives, diarrhea, vomiting or coughing and wheezing.

The toxins can also impact the liver or nervous system, and health officials said if symptoms persist anyone exposed should contact their health care provider.

There are harmful algae blooms on several lakes in the Idaho Panhandle including Hayden Lake, Fernan Lake, and Sagle and Boyer sloughs on Lake Pend Oreille.

Arielle Dreher's reporting for The Spokesman-Review is primarily funded by the Smith-Barbieri Progressive Fund, with additional support from Report for America and members of the Spokane community. These stories can be republished by other organizations for free under a Creative Commons license. For more information on this, please contact our newspaper’s managing editor.