Livestock Producers Beware: Watch for Toxic Blue-Green Algae

Among the problems arising from this summer’s extended heat wave is the potential for toxic blue-green algae (BGA) to show up in lakes and ponds.
“Blue-green algae is typically only a problem during the hottest part of the summer,” said Kansas State University (K-State) Veterinarian Larry Hollis. “It appears that we are seeing an increase in cases this year because of the extended heat period and/or lack of additional rain.”
As in much of the country, July temperatures in Kansas have soared near or above 100° F for numerous consecutive days.
The algae are toxic to humans, as well as animals.
Livestock species often serve as sentinels for human illness, said Hollis, who specializes in beef cattle care with K-State Research and Extension.
The conditions have prompted the Kansas state public health veterinarian and the K-State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (KSVDL) to issue a joint request to Kansas veterinarians, asking that they report suspected illness in animals due to BGA. Such reports go to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment Epidemiology Hotline at 1-877-427-7317, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Most of the samples the diagnostic lab has tested so far this summer have had BGA present, sometimes in very high numbers, Hollis said.