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Officials: Odell Lake unsafe
People advised
to avoid touching or drinking the water due to high
algae levels
ODELL LAKE — State health officials issued a health advisory Thursday, telling people to avoid touching or drinking water in Odell Lake due to extremely high algae levels.
“Water sampling by the Deschutes National Forest has confirmed the presence of blue-green algae that can produce toxins harmful to humans and animals,” said Deanna Conners, with the Office of Environmental Public Health, Oregon Department of Human Services.
These levels are likely to be associated with dangerous toxin concentrations in the water, according to World Health Organization guidelines.
People and animals should avoid swallowing or inhaling water droplets as well as skin contact with the lake’s water. Drinking water from Odell Lake is especially dangerous, health officials said, adding that the toxins cannot be removed by boiling, filtering or treating water.
Fish from the lake
Experts recommend that if people
choose to eat fish from the lake, they should remove all
fat, skin and organs before cooking since toxins are
more likely to collect in these tissues.
Symptoms include numbness, tingling and dizziness, and can lead to difficulty breathing or heart problems requiring immediate medical attention. Symptoms of skin irritation, weakness, diarrhea, nausea, cramps and fainting also should receive medical attention if they persist or worsen. Children and pets are particularly susceptible.
For information contact the Deschutes National Forest at (541) 383-5300, or visit www.fs.fed.us/r6/centraloregon.
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