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ST. GEORGE — Utah water quality officials have extended a "health watch" for more parts of the Virgin River after one dog died and three other dogs fell ill from exposure to toxic algae mats in the river.
The recent cases occurred following exposure to water at the Virgin River in Hurricane, St. George and Bloomington, Utah Division of Water Quality officials said Friday.
In all four cases, the dogs exhibited symptoms "consistent" with exposure to harmful algae, officials said. They add that water samples confirmed high levels of anatoxin-a, which is considered a "dangerous toxin."
The agency now lists the Virgin River from Zion National Park to the Utah-Arizona border in a health watch, as a result.
Humans and animals can become sick if they consume toxic algae or water near disturbed mats. Dogs, which are especially at risk of serious illness or death, are often attracted to harmful algae's scent, water quality officials said.
They advise keeping pets away from the water and to rinse them off immediately should they get into the water so they do not lick their fur. The most common exposure symptoms include excessive drooling, stumbling, muscle tremors, difficulty breathing, weakness, seizures and paralysis. These can happen within minutes or hours after exposure.
"Prevention is the best way to protect pets," division officials wrote in a statement. "If you believe your pet was exposed to a harmful algae mat, seek immediate care from your veterinarian."
Residents are also advised to "clean fish well and discard guts" in areas where health watches are issued.
Harmful algae, which has emerged in the region many times in recent years, may appear red, yellow, tan, green, brown, or black in color.
The Utah Division of Water Quality issued other alerts for the Virgin River and some of its tributaries in southwest Utah because of toxic algae this year.
This began on May 25, when it issued a similar algae-related health watch for the North Fork of the Virgin River, including the Narrows at Zion National Park. It also issued alerts for North Creek and La Verkin Creek that same day.
The agency issued more watches for the river in July, as well as a warning for the North Creek at Zion National Park on July 31.
The Utah Division of Water Quality has several other active harmful algae watches and warnings issued across the state based on regular water testing. The advisories have no impact on the state's drinking water.
