Visitors heading to Lake DuBay are advised to be careful when getting in the water.
Central Wisconsin health officials say they found blue-green algae in the lake and urge swimmers, boaters, families, and pet owners to stay away from any water that appears to contain a bloom.
Here's what to know
Officials have confirmed blue-green algae, or cyanobacteria, in Lake DuBay, which spans Marathon and Portage counties, Wausau Pilot & Review reported.
The blooms can create toxins that are dangerous to people and animals if contaminated water is swallowed, inhaled, or touched.
Officials said blooms do not always look the same. They can resemble spilled paint or pea soup, appear as floating clumps, or form a scummy layer on the surface. While many are blue-green, the color can range from blue to red.
"Swimming in or swallowing water with high levels of blue-green algae presents health risks to individuals," Marathon County Health Officer Caitlin Suginaka said.
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The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources puts its advice simply: "When in doubt, stay out."
More background
According to state health officials, exposure can cause symptoms in both people and animals within minutes or hours.
Those symptoms can include skin rashes, muscle cramps, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy and, in some cases, seizures.
Dogs can become seriously sick after coming into contact with the algae. Possible symptoms include fatigue, trouble breathing, vomiting and convulsions, and in severe situations, the exposure can be fatal.
Officials say there is no way to remove a bloom once it has developed, so the focus is on keeping people and animals out of affected water until it disappears on its own.
Children may be at higher risk because they may be less likely to notice algae scum or understand that the water should be avoided.
What can be done?
The DNR advises avoiding water that looks like green or blue paint, pea soup, or has floating blobs or a layer of scum.
People also should not boat or water-ski through blooms because contaminated droplets can become airborne.
Children should be kept from playing in shoreline scum, and pets and livestock should not be allowed into the water or allowed to drink from it.
Officials also caution against using herbicides or algaecides because toxins can be released as blue-green algae cells die.
As a general safety step, the DNR recommends not swimming where a person standing in knee-deep water cannot see their feet, and showering after any contact with surface water.
Anyone who believes a person or pet became ill after exposure can submit a report to the Wisconsin Division of Public Health through its online system or by calling 608-266-1120.
Pet owners are also encouraged to contact a veterinarian if an animal begins to show symptoms.
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