 |
[RC] Fwd: [VETMED] Fw: Warning on toxic blue-green algae - John TeeterBegin forwarded message:From: "Maryanne Gabbani" <msgabbani@xxxxxxxxx> Date: September 13, 2007 12:35:04 AM MDT To: "John Teeter" <johnt@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Subject: Fwd: [VETMED] Fw: Warning on toxic blue-green algae Hi John, this got tossed because it was too long, but is probably information that people might need. Maryanne ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Stacy <srs2@xxxxxxxxx> Date: Sep 13, 2007 12:20 AM Subject: [VETMED] Fw: Warning on toxic blue-green algae To: VETMED@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [If you wish to forward this post to other lists, you may do so. The toxins in some algae are just as dangerous to dogs as to large animals - Stacy] BLUE-GREEN ALGAE, LIVESTOCK - USA (OKLAHOMA) ******************************************** A ProMED-mail post <http://www.promedmail.org> ProMED-mail is a program of the International Society for Infectious Diseases <http://www.isid.org> Date: Sat 8 Sep 2007 Source: The Muskogee Phoenix [edited] <http://www.muskogeephoenix.com/local/local_story_251233242.html >
Becky Brewer, state veterinarian with the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry, said her office has received word of livestock deaths caused by toxins produced by blue-green algae from across the state. "It seems to be a very widespread problem right now and it is extremely important that everyone who has a pond or lake on their property be vigilant in watching for signs of a blue-green algae over-growth," she said. "Animals can die extremely quickly if they ingest the toxin released after an algae bloom." Other signs can include bloody diarrhea and muscle tremors. Brewer said animals that do not immediately die from the toxin could also suffer liver damage. "The important thing is to keep an eye on the color of the water," she said. "If you notice a sudden bluish or greenish color to the water you need to get your animals away from it immediately and have the water tested." While the water is being tested, be sure to move animals away from the area or block access to the pond and offer alternative water sources. "When in doubt, lock them out," Brewer said. "That's the best advice we can offer." She also advises against allowing pets in or near waters suspected of blue-green algae contamination. Owners are advised to contact their local veterinarians, county extension offices, or the Oklahoma Animal Disease Diagnostic Center in Stillwater for advice or to have their water tested. Ponds that test positive for the organism can be treated with an algaecide or copper sulphate. Untreated ponds will recover naturally. Blue-green algae are actually not real algae but rather cyanobacteria. Brewer said many different kinds of the organism can be found in Oklahoma but all can produce the toxin after an algae bloom. In heavily affected waters even small amounts of water can cause symptoms or death. All terrestrial animals are susceptible. Recent rains and temperatures are believed to have contributed to the sudden increase in blue-green algae problems. - -- Communicated by: ProMED-mail <promed@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> [A map of Oklahoma may be found at < http://www.mapsofworld.com/usa/states/oklahoma/maps/oklahoma-county- map.jpg> Toxic algae can produce a number of different toxins, some capable of killing animals within a very short time. Toxic blooms should be taken seriously and public health warnings heeded. Cyanobacteria is the scientific name for blue-green algae, or "pond scum." The 1st recognized species were blue-green in color, which is how the algae got their name. Species identified since range in color from olive-green to red. Cyanobacteria form in shallow, warm, slow-moving, or still water. They are made up of cells, which can house poisons called cyanobacterial toxins. A mass of cyanobacteria in a body of water is called a bloom. When this mass rises to the surface of the water, it is known as surface scum or a surface water bloom. Cyanobacterial toxins are the naturally produced poisons stored in the cells of certain species of cyanobacteria. These toxins fall into various categories. Some are known to attack the liver (hepatotoxins) or the nervous system (neurotoxins); others simply irritate the skin. These toxins are usually released into water when the cells rupture or die. One group of toxins produced and released by cyanobacteria are called microcystins because they were isolated from a cyanobacterium called _Microcystis aeruginosa_. Microcystins are the most common of the cyanobacterial toxins found in water, as well as being the ones most often responsible for poisoning animals and humans who come into contact with toxic blooms. Microcystins are extremely stable in water because of their chemical structure, which means they can survive in both warm and cold water and can tolerate radical changes in water chemistry, including pH. So far, scientists have found about 50 different kinds of microcystins. One of them, microcystin-LR, appears to be one of the microcystins most commonly found in water supplies around the world. Portions of this comment have been extracted from <http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ewh-semt/water-eau/drink-potab/cyanobacteria- cyanobacteries_e.html >. - - Mod.TG] /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\ All postings from VETMED are copyright (c) to their original author.
Egypt Face to Face www.alsorat.com Weblogs: Living In Egypt miloflamingo.blogspot.com Cairo/Giza Daily Photo cairogizadailyphoto.blogspot.com Turn Right At The Sarcophagus haramlik.blogspot.com Photos of Egypt: http://www.flickr.com/photos/livinginegypt/ =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net. Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp Ride Long and Ride Safe!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
|