Presented on April 27, 2022, by Jordan Murray - Wisconsin Division of Public Health - at the 2022 Emerging Contaminants in the Environment Conference (ECEC22)
Cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae, are a natural part of Wisconsin's water bodies. High temperatures and nutrients can promote the growth of cyanobacteria, resulting in what is known as cyanobacterial or harmful algal blooms (HABs). HABs are a public health concern because some cyanobacteria are capable of producing toxins that can make people and animals sick after they ingest, breathe in, or have contact with the water. The Wisconsin HAB Surveillance Program (HAB Program) exists to prevent and manage blue-green algae related illnesses in Wisconsin with the ultimate goal to protect and promote the health of Wisconsin residents. Since its inception in 2009, our program has collected and investigated human and animal HAB-related illness complaints. This presentation will provide a deeper look into our program's history, investigation process, partnerships with other local, state and federal agencies, as well as examples of how we conduct outreach activities to improve awareness, understanding, and reporting of HABs and HAB-related illnesses.
Download slides:
http://hdl.handle.net/2142/114133
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