Hot weather and nutrient-rich Mississippi River water pouring into Lake Pontchartrain via the Bonnet Carré Spillway are the ingredients for algae to grow on the surface of the lake. Today, the Louisiana Department of Health issued an advisory for a potentially large algal bloom.
"An algal bloom is the rapid growth of algae on the surface of the water," the department said in its advisory. "The Department is advising people to avoid contact, including swimming, with blue-green algae as exposure can be harmful for some people."
The algae, either blur, bright green, brown or red in color can have a strong odor like rotting plants, the department said.
It warned that people who come into contact with it could suffer rashes, stomach cramps, nausea, diarrhea and vomiting.
"People who are very sensitive to smells can have respiratory irritation," the advisory cautions "Sometimes, high exposures of toxins associated with the algae can affect the liver and nervous system."
Anyone exposed is advised to wash with soap and water, and see a doctor if they experience symptoms.
Although the toxins don't show accumulation in the edible parts of fish caught from the lake, the health department says it can accumulate in other organs, and therefore they advise against eating any fish taken from affected waters.
