Be Alert - What are HABs?

 

Cameron County has recently experienced a heat wave with lower water levels in the creeks. 

 This could be the perfect breeding ground for Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) 

 What are HABs? 

 A Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) occurs when certain kinds of microscopic organisms in a waterbody or waterway produce toxins or other chemical compounds in concentrations that can harm people, pets, or other animals. 

 The microscopic organisms that most commonly cause HABs in Pennsylvania are known as cyanobacteria or blue-green algae. Cyanobacteria are a natural part of many aquatic ecosystems, but some kinds of cyanobacteria can produce toxins known as cyanotoxins. In high enough concentrations, cyanotoxins can be harmful to people, pets, fish, shellfish, and other animals that come in contact with or ingest the toxins. 

Please read these two sites to learn about HAB's and what you can do to protect yourself and your animals from this. 

https://www.dep.pa.gov/Business/Water/HABs/Pages/default.aspx

https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments