The Virginia Harmful Algal Bloom Task Force Surveillance and Response to Protect Public Health Margaret Smigo Waterborne Hazards Control Program Office of Epidemiology - Division of Environmental Epidemiology Margaret.Smigo@vdh.virginia.gov (804)864-8128 Photo Credit: VIMS
Topics Overview Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) Primer HAB Toxins Threats to Public Health VA HAB Task Force - Partners and Roles HAB Surveillance & Response 2016 HAB Highlights
What are HABs? HAB Primer Algae = phytoplankton Naturally occurring microscopic organisms found in marine and freshwater Major source of food and oxygen for aquatic life Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) Population of algal cells can increase rapidly May pose environmental, human, or animal health threat > 30 HAB species in the Chesapeake Bay HAB species detected in Virginia lakes
Fresh and Marine HABs HAB Primer Freshwater HABs Marine HABs
Harmful Algae and Toxins HAB Toxins Threats to Public Health Fresh or brackish waters Marine or brackish waters CYANOBACTERIA DIATOMS Anabaena Cylindrospermopsis Aphanizomenon Microcystis Nodularia Oscillatoria Planktothrix Pseudo-nitzshica DINOFLAGELLATES Karenia Alexandrium Cochlodinium Dinophysis Karlodinium Prorocentrum RAPHIDOPHYTES Chattonella Heterosigma Anatoxin, Microcystin, Saxitoxin Cylindrospermopsin, Saxitoxin Saxitoxin, Anatoxin, Cylindrospermopsin Microcystin Nodularin Anatoxin Anatoxin, Microcystin Domoic Acid Brevatoxin Goniadomin A Ichthyotoxin Dinophsistoxin, Okadaic Acid Karlotoxin Okadaic Acid Brevetoxin Ichthyotoxin
Exposure Modes of HAB Toxins HAB Toxins Threats to Public Health Consumption Shellfish or finfish (brackish/marine waters*, not fresh) Accidental ingestion while recreating/swimming Drinking water (freshwater) Dermal (toxins absorbed in skin) Inhalation Toxins may become aerosolized Aspirate water into the lungs
Marine Toxins & Syndromes HAB Toxins Threats to Public Health Imported seafood VA Imported seafood VA VA
Cyanobacteria and Health Effects HAB Toxins Threats to Public Health Hepatotoxins Neurotoxins Abdominal pain ENT irritation Numbness/tingling Headache Respiratory illness Dizziness Vomiting/Nausea Lethargy Diarrhea Confusion Liver damage Seizures Kidney damage Hepatotoxins(liver): Microcystin & Cylindrospermopsin Neurotoxins(nervous system): Anatoxin & Saxitoxin
Virginia HABs Task Force HAB Task Force Roles & Responsibilities
HAB Response Plan 2017 Update HAB Task Force Roles & Responsibilities First Plan developed 2004; Pfeisteria focused Revised 2017 draft online Revised Plan Components Include: Primary support member s roles and responsibilities Outlines major surveillance activities for HABs both environmental and epidemiological Details the communication protocols within the Task Force and to the public
Marine Surveillance Surveillance & Response VDH: DSS- 62 routine stations DEQ/CBP-16 routine DEQ/VDH/ODU Bloom sampling Response based Analyzed for all HAB species VDH: DSS and ODU ~650 samples-2016
Freshwater Surveillance VDH:DEE- routine freshwater lake samples: 12 Freshwater bloom samples: Surveillance & Response Since 2010, sites selected for freshwater surveillance each year In 2016, 10/12 lakes contained species capable of producing toxin Six bloom response events in 2016
Reporting Surveillance & Response Algal Bloom Map (Mar-Nov) Feature pages on website for bloom events Seasonal email updates to Task Force members Annual HAB Task Force Meeting (Dec 2016)
Website & HAB Hotline www.harmfulalgaeva.com & 888 238 6154 Surveillance & Response Factsheets/Brochures HAB Task Force Response Plan (draft) Recreational Advisory Guidance (Micro) Educational signs & Advisory signs Template public notice HAB Hotline = 24/7 Coming Soon: ONLINE HAB REPORT FORM
Cochlodinium polykrikoides Major Bay Tributaries & Bay 2016 HAB Highlights Marine 2016 Max: 17,056 cells/ml (York River 8/10) Photos Courtesy of VIMS and ODU
Alexandrium monilatum Major Bay tributaries & Bay 2016 HAB Highlights Marine 2016 Max 30472 cells/ml (Little Creek 9/19) Photos Courtesy of VIMS
Microcystis aeruginosa YRSP - Woodstock Pond 2016 HAB Highlights Freshwater 2016 Max: ~110M cells/ml (9/28/16) Photo Courtesy of ODU Reported on 8/12/2016 by DCR, large pond adjacent to the river in York River State Park prior bloom in 2013 Microcystis aeruginosa dominant, Anabaena spp also present Public Notification Recreational Advisory ~4 months Weekly/bi-weekly sampling 8/12-12/12/2016
Acknowledgements Thanks! VDH: Margaret Smigo - Environmental Epidemiology Keith Skiles, MPH Shellfish Sanitation Aaron Moses, PE Drinking Water DEQ: Roger Everton Tidewater Regional Office ODU: Dr. Todd Egerton, PhD Leah Gibala-Smith VIMS: Dr. Kim Reece, PhD Dr. Juliette Smith, PhD www.harmfulalgaeva.com HAB Hotline 888-238-6154