title: Human illnesses and animal deaths associated with freshwater harmful algal blooms-Kansas.
abstract: Freshwater harmful algal bloom (FHAB) toxins can cause morbidity and mortality in both humans and animals, and the incidence of FHABs in the United States and Kansas has increased. In 2010, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) developed a FHAB policy and response plan. We describe the epidemiology of FHAB-associated morbidity and mortality in humans and animals in Kansas. Healthcare providers and veterinarians voluntarily reported FHAB-associated cases to KDHE. An investigation was initiated for each report to determine the source of exposure and to initiate public health mitigation actions. There were 38 water bodies with a confirmed FHAB in 2011. There were 34 reports of human and animal FHAB-associated health events in 2011, which included five dog deaths and hospitalization of two human case patients. Five confirmed human illnesses, two dog illnesses and five dog deaths were associated with one lake. Four human and seven dog cases were exposed to the lake after a public health alert was issued. Public health officials and FHAB partners must ensure continued awareness of the risks to the public, educate healthcare providers and veterinarians on FHAB-related health events and encourage timely reporting to public health authorities.
authors: Kansas Department of Health and Environment, 1000 SW Jackson Street, Suite 075, Topeka, KS 66612, USA. igarrison@kdheks.gov.
authors: Ingrid
authors: I
authors: Trevino-Garrison
authors: Florida Department of Health, 4052 Bald Cypress Way, Tallahassee, FL 32399, USA. Jamie.DeMent@flhealth.gov.
authors: Jamie
authors: J
authors: DeMent
authors: Kansas Department of Health and Environment, 1000 SW Jackson Street, Suite 075, Topeka, KS 66612, USA. fahmed@kdheks.gov.
authors: Farah S
authors: FS
authors: Ahmed
authors: Kansas Department of Health and Environment, 1000 SW Jackson Street, Suite 075, Topeka, KS 66612, USA. PHaines-Lieber@kdheks.gov.
authors: Patricia
authors: P
authors: Haines-Lieber
authors: Kansas Department of Health and Environment, 1000 SW Jackson Street, Suite 075, Topeka, KS 66612, USA. tlanger@kdheks.gov.
authors: Thomas
authors: T
authors: Langer
authors: Kansas Department of Health and Environment, 1000 SW Jackson Street, Suite 075, Topeka, KS 66612, USA. hmenager@kdheks.gov.
authors: Henri
authors: H
authors: Ménager
authors: Kansas Department of Health and Environment, 1000 SW Jackson Street, Suite 075, Topeka, KS 66612, USA. jneff@kdheks.gov.
authors: Janet
authors: J
authors: Neff
authors: Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, 1800 Denison Avenue, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA. dmerwe@vet.k-state.edu.
authors: Deon
authors: D
authors: van der Merwe
authors: Kansas Department of Health and Environment, 1000 SW Jackson Street, Suite 075, Topeka, KS 66612, USA. CEdwardCarney@aol.com.
authors: Edward
authors: E
authors: Carney
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001427:Bacterial Toxins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000633:toxicity; D056486:Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / Q000209:etiology* / Q000662:veterinary; D000087522:Cyanobacteria Toxins; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*; D004285:Dogs; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000379:methods; D005618:Fresh Water / Q000032:analysis* / Q000382:microbiology; D057097:Harmful Algal Bloom; D007615:Kansas; D008387:Marine Toxins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000633:toxicity; D052998:Microcystins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000633:toxicity; D011634:Public Health; D011640:Public Policy; D014871:Water Microbiology; D014877:Water Pollution, Chemical / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence
chemical_list: D001427:Bacterial Toxins; D000087522:Cyanobacteria Toxins; D008387:Marine Toxins; D052998:Microcystins
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