Blue-Green Algae: Resources for Health Professionals
Find resources below for clinical and public health professionals about blue-green algae-related illness.
- Blue-Green Algae (Cyanobacteria) and Cyanotoxin Poisoning Case Reporting and Investigation Protocol (EpiNet), P-02198 (PDF)
- Harmful Algal Blooms Toolkit: A planning guide for public health and emergency response professionals, P-00853 (PDF)
- Blue-green Algae (Cyanobacteria) and Cyanotoxin Poisoning Reporting Requirements (Memo BEOH-2019-01) (PDF)
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Veterinary Reference Card (PDF)
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Physician Reference Card (PDF)
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Animal Alert Poster (PDF)
Aluminum blue-green algae signage is available for local public health, tribal, and select DNR authorities to purchase. Email the Harmful Algal Blooms (HAB) Program at dhsdphhabs@dhs.wisconsin.gov for ordering instructions.
HAB Program newsletters
- October 2023: Protecting Your Pup During Waterfowl Hunting Season: Waterfowl hunting and dog safety during fall blooms.
- July 2023: A Summertime HAB Refresher: Cyanotoxins and their effects on human and animal health and a spotlight on local health outreach activities.
- May 2023: Your 2023 HAB Guide: Your 2023 "quick reference" HAB guide and highlights from recent program events.
- January 2023: A Review of 2022: Illness case summaries and highlights from the 2022 HAB season.
- October 2022: Local and State HAB Updates: Highlighting local HAB work and program events.
- July 2022: Communicating about Harmful Algal Blooms: Best practices for communicating during public health crises with a HABs example.
- May 2022: Your 2022 HAB Guide: Your 2022 "quick reference" HAB guide and a spotlight on new signage for dog swim areas.
- January 2022: "Habby" New Year! A recap of the 2021 HAB illness season and a spotlight on unique blooms.
- June 2021: Your 2021 HAB Guide: Your 2021 "quick reference" HAB guide and program updates.
- August 2020: Your 2020 HAB Guide: Your 2020 "quick reference" HAB guide and program updates.
- March 2020: HABs and Climate Change. The intersection of HABs, climate effects, and health.
- February 2020: Advancing science: New clinical tests for detection of cyanotoxins. Clinical toxin testing in the news and some Valentine's Day messaging.
- January 2020: Habby 2020! 2019 in review and comparative results from the 2018 and 2019 Harmful Algal Blooms Survey.
- October 2019: Did you take the 2019 HAB Survey? Soliciting survey-takers, freshwater HABs as 'Events of National Significance', and an end-of-season farewell.
- September 2019: Preparing for Fall Blooms (the Scummy Ones!). Waterfowl hunting and dog safety, and FAQs of the 2019 bloom season.
- August 2019: The Cyanobacteria Strike Back! A new fact sheet for the public, blue-green algae as a One Health issue, and a fun animated video.
- July 2019: How to ID a Bloom. Classic bloom characteristics, bloom look-alikes, and simple, no-cost tests for identifying blue-green algae.
- June 2019: New Blue-Green Algae Guidance. New federal recommendations for two cyanotoxins and a fact sheet for Wisconsin summer camps.
- May 2019: Are you HAB-ready? Preparing for Healthy and Safe Swimming Week and the 2019 HAB season, and highlights from a Lake Superior HABs workshop.
- April 2019: The Lowdown on Cyanotoxins. Common cyanotoxins and their effects on human and animal health.
- March 2019: Getting to Know Your HAB Response Crew. The faces of HAB-related illness investigation and response in Wisconsin.
- February 2019: Be our HAB-entine! Cyanobacterial reproduction, factors that promote blooms, and algae under ice!
- January 2019: "Habby" New Year! DPH HAB Program resolutions, BGA 101 and BGA lingo.
- December 2018: Introducing the Harmful Algal Blooms Newsletter! Results from the 2018 HAB survey for local health departments.
Sign up to receive our Harmful Algal Blooms Program newsletter
If you are a public health or environmental health specialist who would like to receive the monthly newsletter, please email DHSDPHHABS@dhs.wisconsin.gov and ask to be added to the list.
How to report a suspect case of blue-Green Algae (cyanobacteria) poisoning
Health care providers should report any suspected human cases of cyanobacteria and cyanotoxin poisoning electronically through WEDSS, or by mailing, or faxing a completed Acute and Communicable Disease Case Report, F-44151 (PDF) to the address on the form.