What types of illnesses can people and animals get from exposure to HABS?
• Getting it on the skin may give people a rash, hives, or skin blisters (especially on the lips and under swimsuits). • Inhaling water droplets from irrigation or water-related recreational activities can cause runny eyes and nose, a sore throat, asthma-like symptoms, or allergic reactions. • Swallowing water that has toxins in it can cause: • Acute, severe gastroenteritis (including diarrhea and vomiting). • Liver toxicity (i.e., increased serum levels of liver enzymes). Symptoms of liver poisoning may take hours or days to show up in people or animals. Symptoms include abdominal pain, diarrhea and vomiting. • Neurotoxicity. These symptoms can appear within minutes after exposure. In dogs, the neurotoxins can cause salivation and other neurological symptoms, including weakness, staggering, difficulty breathing, convulsions, and death. People may have numb lips, tingling fingers and toes, or they may feel dizzy. • Paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP). PSP is caused by consumption of sh
