Human illnesses and animal deaths associated with freshwater harmful algal blooms-Kansas

• Published in: Toxins Vol. 7; no. 2; pp. 353 - 366
• Main Authors: Trevino-Garrison, Ingrid, DeMent, Jamie, Ahmed, Farah S, Haines-Lieber, Patricia, Langer, Thomas, Ménager, Henri, Neff, Janet, van der Merwe, Deon, Carney, Edward
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 30.01.2015; MDPI
• Subjects: Animals; Bacterial Toxins - analysis; Bacterial Toxins - toxicity; blue-green algae; canine; Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury - etiology; Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury - veterinary; cyanobacteria; cyanotoxin; dog; Dog Diseases - chemically induced; Dogs; Environmental Monitoring - legislation & jurisprudence; Environmental Monitoring - methods; Fresh Water - analysis; Fresh Water - microbiology; Harmful Algal Bloom; hepatotoxin; Kansas; Marine Toxins - analysis; Marine Toxins - toxicity; microcystin; Microcystins - analysis; Microcystins - toxicity; Public Health; Public Policy; Water Microbiology; Water Pollution, Chemical - adverse effects; Water Pollution, Chemical - legislation & jurisprudence
• ISSN: 2072-6651; 2072-6651
• DOI: 10.3390/toxins7020353

Freshwater harmful algal bloom (FHAB) toxins can cause morbidity and mortality in both humans and animals, and the incidence of FHABs in the United States and Kansas has increased. In 2010, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) developed a FHAB policy and response plan. We describe the epidemiology of FHAB-associated morbidity and mortality in humans and animals in Kansas. Healthcare providers and veterinarians voluntarily reported FHAB-associated cases to KDHE. An investigation was initiated for each report to determine the source of exposure and to initiate public health mitigation actions. There were 38 water bodies with a confirmed FHAB in 2011. There were 34 reports of human and animal FHAB-associated health events in 2011, which included five dog deaths and hospitalization of two human case patients. Five confirmed human illnesses, two dog illnesses and five dog deaths were associated with one lake. Four human and seven dog cases were exposed to the lake after a public health alert was issued. Public health officials and FHAB partners must ensure continued awareness of the risks to the public, educate healthcare providers and veterinarians on FHAB-related health events and encourage timely reporting to public health authorities.