California pet owners warned after toxic substance found in lake
The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) is warning people to keep their pets away from Silverwood Lake in San Bernardino after water officials identified toxic algae in the water. Last week, the DWR announced that water officials have issued a “caution algal bloom advisory” for Silverwood Lake after blue-green algae, also known as cyanobacteria, was found at the lake. Not all algae is toxic, but it’s impossible to tell just by looking at it. Exposure to toxic cyanobacteria can cause unpleasant symptoms, such as eye, nose, mouth or throat irritation, headache, allergic skin rash, mouth ulcers, vomiting, diarrhea, and cold- and flu-like symptoms, according to a DWR website. Pets and children are especially susceptible, prompting the DWR to urge people to be aware of the conditions.