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

• July HAB Newsletter: The Dog Days of Summer (Literally!): A new HAB and fishing fact sheet, dog data, and local health outreach efforts
• June 2024: HAB Highlights From Across the Country: Highlighting new clinical tests for HAB toxins and cutting edge asthma and aerosol research
• May 2024: Your Guide to the 2024 HAB Season:  Your 2023 "quick reference" HAB guide
• January 2024: Habby 2024!: Illness case summaries, highlights from the 2022 HAB season, and new research from the CDC
• 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 update
• 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.