Public Health Impact of Harmful Algal BloomsKansas 2017
Public Health Impact of Harmful Algal Blooms-Kansas, 2017 Henri Ménager, Senior Epidemiologist Our Mission: To protect and improve the health and environment of all Kansans.
Potential Health Impacts • Cyanobacteria produce toxins that target the liver (hepatotoxins) and target the nervous system (neurotoxins). • Microcystin, a hepatotoxin produced by cyanobacteria, is the most widespread cyanotoxin in Kansas lakes. Hepatotoxin producing Microcystis Hepatotoxin and neurotoxin producing Anabaena Our Mission: To protect and improve the health and environment of all Kansans.
Potential Health Impacts • The health effects of microcystin poisoning depends on the route of exposure • Inhalation • Ingestion • Dermal • And the amount of toxin Our Mission: To protect and improve the health and environment of all Kansans.
Health Effects • Microcystin is toxic for both humans and animals • Onset of symptoms may be a few minutes to several hours or days after exposure • Signs and symptoms can include • Nausea • Vomiting • Diarrhea • Cough • Sore throat • Rash • Liver damage Our Mission: To protect and improve the health and environment of all Kansans.
Health Effects • Microcystin-LR: possible carcinogen (IARC) • Liver & testes • Death • Animals • There have been studies that have shown symptoms of poisoning attributed to the presence of cyanotoxins in drinking water. Our Mission: To protect and improve the health and environment of all Kansans.
EPHT and BGA Blooms Our vision is 'healthy Kansans living in safe and sustainable environments'. The state belongs to all of us - "Kansas Don't Spoil It"
Human and Animal Illness Complaints
Human and Animal Illness Complaints
Human and Animal Illness Complaints • If clinical signs and symptoms are consistent with BGA exposure, and if exposure occurred BEFORE signs and symptoms, then a request for lake sampling is sent to BEFS Our Mission: To protect and improve the health and environment of all Kansans.
Human and Animal Illness Complaints
Human and Animal Illness Complaints
2017 Human Illness Complaint # 1: Date of exposure: 6/17/2017 Lake: Private Lake in Dickinson County Age: 7 Sex: F Details: After playing in the lake, experienced stomach pain, diarrhea, sore throat, and vomiting. Visited the ER. All lab tests came back negative (i. e. physician ruled out other causes of symptoms). Case classification: Suspect Our Mission: To protect and improve the health and environment of all Kansans.
2017 Human Illness Complaint # 2: Date of exposure: 6/17/2017 Lake: Private Lake in Dickinson County Age: 6 Sex: F Details: After playing in the lake, experienced stomach pain and malaise. Visited the ER. All lab tests came back negative (i. e. physician ruled out other causes of symptoms). Case classification: Suspect Our Mission: To protect and improve the health and environment of all Kansans.
2017 Human Illness Complaint # 3: Date of exposure: 7/30/2017 Lake: Lake Perry Age: 36 Sex: F Details: Dove into water of lake from the boat and became symptomatic (itching, rash, blisters). Symptoms were discovered the morning after exposure. Did not see a physician. No lab tests were done. No evidence of toxins in the water was established. Case classification: Not a case Our Mission: To protect and improve the health and environment of all Kansans.
2017 Human Illness Complaint # 4: Date of exposure: 8/3/2017 Lake: Melvern Swim Beach Age: 14 Sex: F Details: Went swimming with brother and boyfriend at Melvern Swim Beach. About 5 hours after first exposed, developed fever, headache, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, and muscle pain. Visited the ER and was given an IV and palliative medications. Lab tests showed elevated white blood cells. Environmental testing a showed high BG cell count in the water. Case classification: Probable Our Mission: To protect and improve the health and environment of all Kansans.
2017 Human Illness Complaint # 5: Date of exposure: 8/3/2017 Lake: Melvern Swim Beach Age: 16 Sex: M Details: Went swimming with sister and friend at Melvern Swim Beach. About 5 hours after first exposed, developed fever, headache, nausea, and itching. Visited the ER. All lab tests came back negative (i. e. physician ruled out other causes of symptoms). Environmental testing a showed high BG cell count in the water. Case classification: Probable Our Mission: To protect and improve the health and environment of all Kansans.
2017 Human Illness Complaint # 6: Date of exposure: 8/3/2017 Lake: Melvern Swim Beach Age: 14 Sex: M Details: Went swimming with girlfriend and friend at Melvern Swim Beach. About 5 hours after first exposed, developed fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, and itching. Visited the ER. All lab tests came back negative (i. e. physician ruled out other causes of symptoms). Environmental testing a showed high BG cell count in the water. Case classification: Probable Our Mission: To protect and improve the health and environment of all Kansans.
2017 Human Illness Complaint # 7: Date of exposure: 9/1/2017 Lake: Elk City State Park Lake Age: 30 Sex: F Details: The initial complaint was used, but when called and emailed for an interview, complainant was unable to be reached. No evidence of toxins in the water was established. Case classification: Not a case Our Mission: To protect and improve the health and environment of all Kansans.
2017 Human Illness Complaint # 8: Date of exposure: 9/2/2017 Lake: Douglas County Lake Age: 27 Sex: F Details: She developed blisters and became itchy about 16 hours after wading and fishing at Douglas County Lake. Although she did see some dead fish in the water, no evidence of toxins in the water was established. Case classification: Not a case Our Mission: To protect and improve the health and environment of all Kansans.
2017 Animal Illness Complaint # 1: Date of exposure: 8/19/2017 Lake: Marion Reservoir/Cottonwood River Species: Dog Age: n/a Sex: n/a Details: Dog developed lethargy, nasal discharge, diarrhea, foaming at the mouth, and seizures after going swimming in the river and drinking a lot of the river water. Died on 8/19/2017 within 30 minutes of drinking the water. No necropsy was performed. At time of incident, the BGA warning at Marion Reservoir had been lifted for about 2 weeks. Case classification: Not a case Our Mission: To protect and improve the health and environment of all Kansans.
2017 Animal Illness Complaint # 2: Date of exposure: 10/1/2017 Lake: Memorial Park Lake Species: Dog Age: n/a Sex: n/a Details: Dog went into lake water where there were signs about BG algae warnings. Dog did not develop any symptoms. Case classification: Not a case Our Mission: To protect and improve the health and environment of all Kansans.
2017 Animal Illness Complaint # 3: Date of exposure: 10/19/2017 Lake: Salem Abraham Species: Dog Age: n/a Sex: n/a Details: When calling for an interview, it was discovered this exposure occurred in Texas. Complainant was referred erroneously to the KS HABs program for reporting. Case classification: Not a case Our Mission: To protect and improve the health and environment of all Kansans.
2017 Human Illness Complaints N=8 Case Classification Suspect Count 2 Probable 3 Confirmed Not a Case* 0 3 Definition Exposure to water with a confirmed algal bloom AND onset of associated signs and symptoms within a reasonable time after exposure AND without identification of another cause of illness. Meets criteria for Suspect Case AND there is laboratory documentation of a HAB toxin(s) in the water. Meets criteria for a Probable Case combined with professional judgment based on medical review.
2017 Animal Illness Complaints N=3 Case Classification Suspect Count 0 Probable 0 Confirmed Not a Case* 0 3 Definition Exposure to water with a confirmed algal bloom AND onset of associated signs and symptoms within a reasonable time after exposure AND without identification of another cause of illness. Meets criteria for Suspect Case AND there is laboratory documentation of a HAB toxin(s) in the water. Meets criteria for a Probable Case combined with professional judgment based on medical review.
OHHABS & EPHT • One Health Harmful Algal Bloom System (OHHABS) – National Outbreak Reporting System (NORS) Our vision is 'healthy Kansans living in safe and sustainable environments'. The state belongs to all of us - "Kansas Don't Spoil It"
OHHABS Our vision is 'healthy Kansans living in safe and sustainable environments'. The state belongs to all of us - "Kansas Don't Spoil It"
Summary • It is important to continue to educate the public about the health impacts of Harmful Algal Blooms on humans and animal • It is important to continue lake monitoring and posting warnings to reduce the public health impact of HABs Our Mission: To protect and improve the health and environment of all Kansans.
Questions Our Mission: To protect and improve the health and environment of all Kansans.
www. kdheks. gov Our Mission: To protect and improve the health and environment of all Kansans.
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