AUSTIN, Texas — Further testing has revealed increasing levels of neurotoxins in algae at a greater number of locations along Lady Bird Lake and Barton Creek, the City of Austin said on Wednesday.
The City closed Red Bud Isle this month following reports of dogs dying after swimming in the lake. But preliminary testing showed low to zero levels of the harmful neurotoxins produced by blue-green algae.
However, samples taken on Monday at Vic Mathias Shores, Red Bud Isle and Barton Creek showed higher amounts of neurotoxins than the previous week.
“This is a reminder that the situation is evolving and can change rapidly,” the City of Austin said in a release.
The City is urging pet owners to keep their dogs out of Lady Bird Lake and Barton Creek. Red Bud Isle will remained closed for several weeks.
Brendon Fellows, who used to take his dog swimming at Vic Mathias Shores, is now having to find other ways to keep him cool, like giving him baths every few days.
"It's scary, definitely. You want to keep your dog out of the water, don't want him to get sick, especially because he's a part of our family – you know, trying to keep him safe," Fellows told KVUE. "I can only imagine how devastating it would be to have your dog healthy, happy one day, and then, you know, an hour or two hours later, all of a sudden they're no longer there with you."
The City of Austin said the cold, flowing water from “Barking Springs,” at the spillway of Barton Springs Pool, was upstream from these areas, and people and pets could continue to swim there at their own risk. Bacteria is always a concern in small waterways with a high concentration of dogs.
Further samples will be taken on Thursday.
The potentially toxic blue-green algae can thrive in hot, stagnant water, especially along shorelines. A water safety expert told KVUE urine and stool from dogs might have contributed to the bacteria’s growth.
While the algae can be harmful to humans, pets are most at risk because they are likely to drink the water or lick it off their fur. People are already prohibited from swimming in Lady Bird Lake, but kayakers and paddleboarders who fall in are asked to rinse thoroughly.
Drinking water is unaffected by the toxic algae. Lake Austin and Lake Travis have not shown concerning levels of algae. Lady Bird Lake is not used as a source for drinking water.
Dogs who have ingested the blue-green algae toxin could have any of the following symptoms, which could lead to respiratory paralysis or death:
- Excessive drooling, vomiting, diarrhea
- Foaming at the mouth
- Jaundice, hepatomegaly
- Blood in urine or dark urine
- Stumbling
- Loss of appetite
- Photosensitization in recovering animals
- Abdominal tenderness
- Progression of muscle twitches
- Respiratory paralysis
In people, the possible symptoms may be:
- Dermatologic signs or symptoms such as rash, irritation, swelling, or sores
- Gastrointestinal signs or symptoms
- Respiratory signs or symptoms
- Fever
- Headache
- Neurologic signs or symptoms
- Ear symptoms
- Eye irritation
Austin Public Health said it has not received any reports of treating people related to exposure to the water but it will continue to monitor that. If people or pets come into contact with the water they are urged to rinse off – and seek medical attention if any of the symptoms above occur.
Anyone with questions or concerns is asked to call 311 or 512-974-2000. More information can be found here.
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