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Blue-green algal blooms can be potentially fatal for swimming dogs and, more rarely, can be harmful for humans. (William van Atken)
A person who played in Bull Creek over the weekend has developed symptoms that could be associated with exposure to harmful algae, the City of Austin reported on Thursday.
There has been no confirmation that the person's symptoms are correlated with algae from the creek or that there is harmful algae in the creek. Cyanobacteria, the blue-green algae that crops up in Central Texas waterways during warmer weather, can be harmful or fatal to dogs and has been the cause of several dog deaths in Austin in the past two years.
The report comes after Austin mother Leia Morris reported that her three-year-old son developed symptoms after playing at the Bull Creek Preserve on Sunday, although the city did not confirm that this was the case in question.
Morris told KXAN her son, Linus, woke up trembling on Monday and has experienced tremors and muscle twitches.
"When he woke up on Tuesday, once again I could see his muscles twitching — like I could visibly see that his fingers were twitchy," she told KXAN.
Although Bull Creek has no obvious signs of cyanobacteria, it is impossible to detect the presence of harmful algae without a lab sample. The City of Austin took algae and water samples Friday and expects to have preliminary lab results next week.
The city has been grappling with harmful algae outbreaks since 2019, when five dogs died after swimming in Lady Bird Lake in 2019. Small amounts of dihydroanatoxin, potentially dog-killing algae, has been found in an algae sample taken from Lake Austin near Mansfield Dam as well as two samples from Lady Bird Lake. Low levels of dihydroanatoxin have been detected in the Highland Lakes by the Lower Colorado River Authority this year, including Red Bud Isle in Jun. At least one dog has died in Lake Travis this year and many have been reported sick.
Toxins have only been detected in mats of algae growing on the bottom of the lake or floating on top and could become harmful if one swallows or touches visible algae. Swimmers should follow warning signs posted at these bodies of water and steer clear of warm, stagnant or foul-smelling water. Bacteria levels tend to be higher after rainfall.
In people, symptoms from the harmful bacteria could include:
- 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
In dogs, symptoms may include:
- Excessive drooling, vomiting and diarrhea
- Foaming at the mouth
- Jaundice and hepatomegaly
- Blood in urine or dark urine
- Stumbling
- Loss of appetite
- Photosensitization in recovering animals
- Abdominal tenderness
- Progression of muscle twitches
- Respiratory paralysis
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Popular
Austin finds toxic algae in Lady Bird Lake. (Austonia)
Small amounts of dihydroanatoxin, potentially dog-killing algae, has been found in an algae sample taken from Lake Austin near Mansfield Dam as well as two samples from Lady Bird Lake.
The toxin has already been found in other Highland Lakes by the Lower Colorado River Authority this year and was also found in Lady Bird Lake the past two years. At least one dog has died in Lake Travis this year and many have been reported sick.
Cyanotoxins are forms of harmful blue-green algae that can flourish in blooms in standing bodies of water, and they've been harmful to dogs in both lakes in the past as well as Lake Travis. While trace amounts were found in Lake Austin and Lady Bird Lake, there is still an increased risk of sickness if dogs swim in either lake.
Blooms of the harmful algae can cause the deaths of livestock and dogs, and people may also suffer health issues after being exposed, though it's rarer. Symptoms in dogs may include fatigue, excessive salivation, difficulty breathing, vomiting, diarrhea and seizures.
Experts have found that harmful algae blooms can occur in warmer times of the year, but the Watershed Protection Department is working to reevaluate its algae monitoring system after the algae was found in four lakes and was detected in cooler times of the year.
If a dog reports any telltale symptoms, dog owners should consult a vet immediately and report the illness to 3-1-1.
While swimming dogs should be met with caution, humans can still boat and fish without risk, but handling algae is not recommended.
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Samples of blue-green algae taken from Lady Bird Lake at Festival Beach and Red Bud Isle recently have been confirmed as containing toxins, the Austin Watershed Protection Department announced.
Toxic algae killed several dogs in Austin last summer. The city is recommending pets stay away from the lake and that people avoid handling the algae.
From the press release:
"The toxin is contained within the algae and has not been released into the water. This is important because it means that currently exposure to the toxin would occur through touching or ingesting the algae, not through contact with the water."
The city is monitoring four locations and will post results on its algae dashboard.
- Austin warns dog-killing algae may return to Lady Bird Lake - austonia ›
- Austin readying for another dog-killing algae bloom - austonia ›
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Update 7/10 6:58:
The Austin Watershed Protection Department said in a statement that there is now some preliminary concern about algae found at Red Bud Isle last week, though so far results are not definitive.
UT's laboratory "noted the presence, albeit low, of a cyanobacteria species of concern from the sample collected at Red Bud Isle," the statement says. "The species is undergoing further molecular identification, and toxin results are still forth coming."
The department is urging caution: "Conditions can change rapidly at a site. While we wait for test results, people should take extra care at Red Bud Isle."
Original post:
As the summer heats up, bringing with it ripe conditions for a harmful algae bloom, Austin officials said they have started tested local waterways and shared recommendations for how residents can keep their pets safe when going swimming.
Last year, at least five dogs were killed by a deadly blue-green algae bloom in Lady Bird Lake.
With help from UT researchers, the city took water and algae samples Thursday, according to a Friday press release, and should have the first updates about water quality next week.
Samples came from:
- Red Bud Isle
- Vic Mathias Shores
- Festival Beach
Another area, the mouth of Barton Creek, is also being monitored, but the city "did not observe any concerning algae," according to the press release.
Results from these samples will be listed on AustinTexas.gov/algae.
The website also lists symptoms to watch out for in pets after swimming, and asks that residents report their pets getting sick to 311.
Anyone who wants to take their dog swimming in Lady Bird Lake should avoid warm, stagnant water and areas with floating mats of algae, according to the city. Owners should also rinse their dogs after swimming in the lake.
If the city or UT researchers detect potentially harmful algae, updated guidance for keeping dogs safe, including any bans on dogs swimming in the lake, will be posted on that website.
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