For Immediate Release
On September 20, 2019 the New York State Department of Health notified the Allegany County Department of Health of water that harmful algal blooms (HABs) on Cuba Lake in Allegany County from New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) reports. Information regarding the data in the report and a statewide map of HABs reports can be found on DEC’s public NYHABS webpage.
Exposure to HABs can cause health effects in people and animals when water with blooms is touched, swallowed, or when airborne droplets are inhaled. This is true regardless of toxin levels; some blue-green algae produce toxins, while others do not. Exposure to blooms and toxins can cause symptoms such as diarrhea, nausea or vomiting; skin, eye or throat irritation and allergic reactions or breathing difficulties. People and pets should avoid contact with blooms, and should rinse off with clean water if contact occurs. For more information about HABs go to www.health.ny.gov/harmfulalgae
Please notify harmfulalgae@health.ny.gov and the Allegany
County Department of Health at 585-268-9250 of any blooms you become aware of
that present a drinking water concern or are located at or near a public
bathing beach, including regulated beach closures due to HABs. Please contact
harmfulalgae@health.ny.gov with any questions or concerns.
