Latest news with #HAB
Yahoo
6 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
State issues blue-green algae warnings for Kansas lakes
TOPEKA, Kan. (KSNW) — State health and wildlife officials have issued warnings for several Kansas lakes due to potentially toxic blue-green algae blooms, urging residents and visitors to stay alert while enjoying water activities this summer. Car crashes into Garden City home The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), in coordination with the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP), issued a public health advisory as part of its Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) response program, which runs each year from April through October. Current advisories include: Warning: Frazier Lake (Grant County) Gathering Pond (Geary County) Marion Reservoir (Marion County – status elevated May 30) Watch: Augusta Santa Fe Lake (Butler County – status lowered May 30) Lifted: Pony Creek Lake (Brown County) Officials say blue-green algae can appear as foam, scum, or paint on the water's surface, in colors ranging from blue and green to brown or red. Blooms can form quickly and may be harmful to humans and animals through skin contact, ingestion, or inhalation. 'Symptoms from exposure may include rash, vomiting, diarrhea, sore throat, and fever,' KDHE said. 'If you or your pets come into contact with algae, rinse thoroughly with clean water.' The advisory outlines different safety levels: A Warning means harmful algae is expected or present. Swimming and water contact should be avoided, and pets should not drink or enter the water. A Watch indicates algae may be present. Water activities near visible blooms are discouraged, but boating and fishing are generally safe with precautions. A Hazard status—none currently in effect—signals extreme conditions and could lead to lake closures. KDHE encourages Kansans to report suspected blooms year-round and offers resources for identifying algae and staying safe at 'Blooms can be deadly for pets,' the agency warns. 'Dogs are especially vulnerable if they drink or come into contact with contaminated water or eat dried algae on the shore.' For updates, public advisories, and a map of affected lakes, visit the KDHE Harmful Algal Bloom page. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
SBS Australia
24-05-2025
- Science
- SBS Australia
'Never had a situation like this': Why Australia is unprepared for this deadly ocean threat
Across South Australia's coast, toxic algae have been destroying marine life. Source: Getty, SBS, Supplied Edithburgh Jetty on South Australia's Yorke Peninsula is usually a hot spot for divers. Known for its azure blue waters and vibrant micro-ecosystem, dive enthusiasts come from all over the world to marvel at its marine wonders: leafy sea dragons, pyjama squid, rodless angler fish and vivid corals and sponges that cover the jetty's pylons. But since mid-March, life under the jetty has been decimated by a deadly algae bloom , now spanning four-and-a-half thousand square kilometres of South Australia's gulf and coastal waters. Cinematographer Paul Macdonald has been studying life under the jetty for more than 20 years and says the damage is staggering. "It's been part of my life for so long, and now, to see this devastation, it's just heartbreaking," he says. "Words cannot describe how sad it is." Macdonald also runs a local dive school at the jetty with his wife, Elizabeth Solich. Their monitoring in recent years led to the Edithburgh rodless angler fish being confirmed as a new species in 2021 and given the Indigenous name Narungga Frogfish. "I'd seen it breed three times. It was always in the one spot, and the coral it was living in was the size of a football," Macdonald says. To realise it was gone was a really sad moment. The harmful algae bloom (HAB) was initially identified as karenia mikimotoi, a phytoplankton that produces a reactive oxygen species that damages gills — preventing marine creatures from breathing. It also causes respiratory and flu-like symptoms in humans. Another strain of karenia that produces small amounts of neurotoxin (brevetoxin) has also been identified in the bloom. What's perhaps most alarming is that little can be done to prevent HABs from occurring, but the effects can be mitigated with close monitoring. Most of what is known about the impact of the bloom on marine species has come from data collected by citizen scientists like Macdonald and Solich. Karenia mikimotoi was first identified after surfers reported a mysterious foam at Waitpinga Beach on South Australia's Fleurieu Peninsula in March. Since then, more than 1,400 citizen reports and photos of dead or sick marine life have exposed the consequences of the HAB. A shared database published on the website shows that more than 200 different species of marine life have been killed. OzFish, one of the non-government organisations leading the project, identified more than 100 species of fish and sharks alone. "This includes rarely encountered deepwater sharks and iconic leafy sea dragons, and popular recreational fishing species like flathead, squid, and blue swimmer crabs, and rock lobsters," says OzFish's South Australian project manager Brad Martin. There have been calls for increased monitoring and testing during HABs and questions raised over Australia's preparedness for future events. Faith Coleman, an estuarine ecologist, who has spent hours volunteering to educate the local community about the bloom, suggests the lack of data is "a wasted opportunity". Coleman runs an environmental consultancy agency with her mother, scientist Peri Coleman, and says the main response to the bloom has come from citizen action. The Colemans have been undertaking plankton counts under a light microscope from samples collected by the citizen scientists. "That's really the only data we have in the public sphere," Coleman says. So that means there is very limited stuff we can do, to work out how to stop it in the future. She says regular monitoring of swimming beaches and samples taken at sea and at depth are needed to study the bloom. In the US, federal legislation governs the research and monitoring of HABs. Director of the Southern California Conservation Observing System, Clarissa Anderson, says this has led to "state-of-the-art monitoring systems" in areas with a history of HABs. "We've been lucky to have a big academic and now government investment monitoring program that goes back to the early 2000s," she says. "So we do have some pretty long-term records with which to put any one of these individual events into context." In Australia, the only labs testing for HABs at the species level are those paid for by the aquaculture industry. Marine biologist Shauna Murray — who identified the first sample of karenia mikimotoi at Sydney's University of Technology — says there are only a handful of experts equipped to do this work in Australia. "I think largely there hasn't been that many samples collected, and that's largely because we don't have the infrastructure for it," Murray says. "We've never had a situation like this in the past where we've had to collect a lot of samples rapidly from a harmful algal bloom that's not just affecting the aquaculture industry, but is affecting the wider population." What's causing harmful algae blooms? There are hundreds of phytoplankton species that are not toxic and regularly bloom in South Australia, due to an upwelling of nutrient-rich water from the depths. "All the way from Ningaloo [Reef, off Western Australia] to New Zealand, we have this long string of blooms that often occur every year, and it's why the southern right whales come to feed, and it's why they have their children here, [because] there is this food source," Coleman says. South Australia is also in the midst of one of the most severe and long-lasting marine heatwaves on record; the state's environmental protection authority says it has created conditions that have allowed karenia mikimotoi to bloom. In other parts of the world karenia mikimotoi blooms at cooler temperatures. But, according to Coleman, the destruction of oyster reefs, seagrasses and other life on the floor of the Spencer and St. Vincent gulfs either side of the Yorke Peninsula has contributed to the imbalance. "The hope is that if we can restore the benthic life [deep-sea dwelling marine life] in the gulfs," she says. "We will have more fish, we'll have more life; we'll also have water that is clearer and cooler — and it will reduce our vulnerability." SBS News contacted the South Australian government for comment but did not receive a response. Share this with family and friends
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
KDHE issues blue-green algae advisory for three Kansas lakes
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has issued a public health advisory for three Kansas lakes due to blue-green algae: Warning Frazier Lake – Grant County Lake Shawnee – Shawnee County Watch Council Grove City Lake – Morris County A harmful algae bloom (HAB) may look like foam, scum, or paint floating on the water. It can appear blue, bright green, brown, or even red. Blooms can develop rapidly. Depending on the type of exposure, coming into contact with a HAB can cause rash, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, sore throat, and headaches. Toxins can be absorbed by ingestion, inhalation of aerosols, and skin contact. Avoid contact and keep pets away. Pet owners should be aware that animals that swim in or drink water affected by a HAB or eat dried algae along the shore may become seriously ill or die. Suspected HAB-related health incidents should be reported as soon as possible at When KDHE receives reports of potential algae blooms in Kansas lakes, it investigates publicly accessible bodies of water for blue-green algae. Based on credible field observation and sampling results, the KDHE will then issue a status level of warning, watch, or hazard. A hazard status indicates that an HAB is present and that extreme conditions exist. When a hazard is issued, KDHE recommends the following precautions be taken: Signage should be posted at all public access locations. It is recommended that either a portion of the lake or the entire lake or zone be closed to the public. In some cases, the adjacent land should be closed as well. Actual setback distances will be determined on a site-specific basis, if necessary. When partial closures (i.e., beach or cove) are issued, the remaining lake or zone area will carry a warning status. A warning status indicates that conditions are unsafe for human and pet exposure. Contact with the body of water should be avoided. When a warning is issued, KDHE recommends the following precautions be taken: Signage should be posted at all public access locations. Inhalation of spray or aerosols may be harmful. Lake water is not safe to drink for pets or livestock. Lake water, regardless of blue-green algae status, should never be consumed by humans. Water contact should be avoided. Fish may be eaten if they are rinsed with clean water and only the fillet portion is consumed, while all other parts are discarded. Do not allow pets to eat dried algae. If lake water contacts the skin, wash it with clean water as soon as possible. Avoid areas of visible algae accumulation. A watch status means that blue-green algae have been detected and a HAB is present or likely to develop. People are encouraged to avoid areas of algae accumulation and keep pets and livestock away from the water. During the watch status, KDHE recommends the following precautions be taken: Signage should be posted at all public access locations. Water may be unsafe for humans/animals. Avoid areas of algae accumulation, and do not let people/pets eat dried algae or drink contaminated water. Swimming, wading, skiing, and jet skiing are discouraged near visible blooms. Boating and fishing are safe. However, inhalation of the spray may affect some individuals. Avoid direct contact with water, and wash with clean water after any contact. Clean fish thoroughly with potable water and eat fillet portions only. Advisories are lifted when cell densities and toxin concentrations dissipate to levels below the Watch thresholds. The water recreation season runs from April 1 to Oct. 31, as do the HAB response program's active operations. You can visit the KDHE website year-round to check the current advisory status for bodies of water in Kansas. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Blue-green algae warning issued for Lake Shawnee
TOPEKA (KSNT) – State health officials have issued a harmful algal bloom (HAB) warning for Lake Shawnee this week. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) released an updated list of lakes that contain the presence of blue-green algae or harmful algal blooms (HAB). This toxic water hazard poses many health risks to both humans and animals. Lakes under warning-level status for blue-green algae include: Lake Shawnee, Shawnee County. Frazier Lake, Grant County. Lakes under watch-level status for blue-green algae include: Council Grove City Lake, Morris County. Lakes can be classified at different levels in Kansas for the presence of blue-green algae: watch, warning and hazard. The KDHE recommends different precautions to those who might come into contact with lakes afflicted by the algae: Watch Signage should be posted at all public access locations. Water may be unsafe for humans/animals. Avoid areas of algae accumulation and do not let people/pets eat dried algae or drink contaminated water. Swimming, wading, skiing and jet skiing are discouraged near visible blooms. Boating and fishing are safe. However, inhalation of the spray may affect some individuals. Avoid direct contact with water, and wash with clean water after any contact. Clean fish well with clean water and eat fillet portions only. Warning Signage should be posted at all public access locations. Inhalation of spray or aerosols may be harmful. Lake water is not safe to drink for pets or livestock. Lake water, regardless of blue-green algae status, should never be consumed by humans. Water contact should be avoided. Fish may be eaten if they are rinsed with clean water and only the fillet portion is consumed, while all other parts are discarded. Do not allow pets to eat dried algae. If lake water contacts skin, wash with clean water as soon as possible. Avoid areas of visible algae accumulation. Hazard Signage should be posted at all public access locations. It is recommended that either a portion of the lake or the entire lake or zone be closed to the public. In some cases, the adjacent land should be closed as well. Actual setback distances will be determined on a site-specific basis, if necessary. When partial closures (i.e., beach or cove) are issued, the remaining lake or zone area will carry a warning status. Toxins emitted by a HAB can cause rashes, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, sore throat and a headache, according to the KDHE. If you or a pet comes into contact with the algae, rinse the impacted area clean with fresh water. If you come into contact with a HAB, reach out to the KDHE by filing a report online here. For more Kansas news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Malaysian Reserve
02-05-2025
- Health
- Malaysian Reserve
Purina Opens Funding Opportunities for Scientific Research Proposals on the Unique Bond between People and Pets
Universities, foundations, charities and NGOs can apply now through August 15, 2025, to receive funding of up to $40,000 for accepted human-animal bond research proposals ST. LOUIS, May 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Today, Purina, a global leader in pet care, opened the application period for its 2026 Purina Sponsorship for Human-Animal Bond Studies (HAB) program, which supports innovative scientific research to deepen the understanding of the unique connections between humans and their pets. Now through August 15, 2025, researchers can submit their proposals for the chance to receive up to $40,000 in research funding from Purina. This year, preferences will be given to proposals exploring the potential benefits of the human-animal bond in the following areas: People in vulnerable situations, such as those in abusive relationships and/or experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder The impact of human-animal interactions on the wellbeing of pets The bond between people and cats 'At Purina, we truly believe that people and pets are better together, and we are invested in understanding how to create stronger bonds and more joyful lives together,' said Francois Martin, M.A., Ph.D., Manager, Global Pet Behavior and Welfare at Purina. 'Through our Human-Animal Bond Studies program, we can better understand the healing power of pets and the variety of ways in which the bonds with our pets impact their lives and ours.' Purina has nearly 500 scientists, pet nutritionists, veterinarians, behaviorists and other credentialed pet experts on staff who are committed to helping pets live longer, healthier lives. Each year, Purina invests more than $100 million in research to drive pet nutrition forward and support the wellbeing of pets, which has led to countless groundbreaking innovations to enrich the lives of cats and dogs. For more information on the program, visit Completed applications must be sent to well-being@ Rules for 2026 Sponsorship Applications Only proposals about cats and/or dogs will be evaluated. Only one proposal per researcher will be evaluated. Research must not be double-funded. Applicants with other corporate affiliations may pose a conflict of interest with Nestlé Purina PetCare's (aka Purina) business. Potential conflicts of interest will be evaluated by Purina. Purina reserves the right to disqualify an applicant/researcher on the grounds of conflict of interest. All research studies will require approval by Purina and the local ethical/animal use committee and must be fully compliant with local and national animal welfare regulations. Purina will only fund non-invasive research studies and procedures consistent with routine veterinary care. We do not participate in any invasive research that causes injury, illness or disease or that results in euthanasia of dogs or cats. All applications must provide a timeline with specific deliverables. All applications must present a detailed budget. Payments to the selected applicants will be divided by Nestlé Purina into pre-determined installments. University overhead cost will be limited to $1,000 USD maximum per application. If the application is accepted, Purina will be acknowledged as a sponsor in all communications about the project. Projects must be completed within a maximum of two years after receiving first installment. A final report must be submitted to Purina in order to receive the final installment. All communications regarding the sponsored projects (e.g., scientific abstracts, peer-reviewed publications) must be submitted to Purina for review before submission. If any intellectual property is generated by the Sponsorship, Purina shall have exclusive rights to negotiate a license for Intellectual Property first. About PurinaNestlé Purina PetCare creates richer lives for pets and the people who love them. Founded in 1894, Purina has helped dogs and cats live longer, healthier lives by offering scientifically based nutritional innovations. Purina manufactures some of the world's most trusted and popular pet care products, including Purina ONE, Pro Plan, Friskies and Tidy Cats. Our more than 11,000 U.S. associates take pride in our trusted pet food, treat and litter brands that feed 46 million dogs and 68 million cats every year. Nearly 500 Purina scientists, veterinarians, and pet care experts ensure our commitment to unsurpassed quality and nutrition. Over the past five years, Purina has contributed more than $150 million towards organizations that bring, and keep, people and pets together, as well as those that help our communities and environment thrive. Purina is part of Nestlé, a global leader in Nutrition, Health and Wellness. For more information, visit or subscribe here to get the latest Purina news.
