Health officials issue advisory for certain areas of Lake Isabella due to potential harmful algae

KERN COUNTY, Calif. — The Kern County Public Health Services Department is warning people who visit Lake Isabella to be cautious of active algal blooms when visiting Hanning Flat and Kissack Cove.

Health officials say they've recently obtained water samples from eight locations in Lake Isabella and two of those locations indicated the presence of potentially harmful blue-green algae (cyanotoxin) at the cautionary level. That's the lowest of the three advisory levels.

Medical experts report that Cyanobacteria are capable of producing toxins, which have the potential to harm people, pets, wildlife, or livestock. Dogs and children are most likely to be affected because of their smaller body size, increased potential to ingest water, and tendency to stay in the water for longer periods, according to health officials.

Exposure of cyanobacteria and associated toxins can cause eye irritation, skin rash, mouth ulcers, vomiting, diarrhea and cold or flu-like symptoms. If you or your pet come into contact with algae and are experiencing symptoms, please seek medical treatment immediately.

In response to the water samples, Public Health is issuing an advisory for Kissack Cove and Hanning Flat at Lake Isabella, effective immediately.

There is also signs posted throughout the lake that advise people using the lake to use caution and stay away from algae and scum in these designated areas.

For more information visit our interactive website: https://kernpublichealth.com/cyanobacteria-blooms-blue-green-algae/ [kernpublichealth.com]. As Public Health continues to monitor and test Lake Isabella, this website is updated regularly with test results and notification of any presence of potentially harmful blue-green algae in Lake Isabella.