Blue-green algae expected to be a big problem in Kansas

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) _ Officials in Kansas are bracing for
blue-green algae problems after toxic blooms sickened more than a
dozen people last year.
The Wichita Eagle reported that a small lake in Great Bend is
the only body of water in Kansas with an official algae bloom so
far.
But officials say more algae blooms are expected.
Tom Langer is the head of environmental health for the Kansas
Department of Health and Environment. He says his office is already
getting phone calls about algae blooms in other waters. Some major
lakes in nearby Oklahoma have officially reported blooms.
The problem is expected to increase slowly before taking off in
June.
Skin contact with the bright green algae can cause allergic
reactions and ingesting infected water can cause diarrhea, vomiting
and worse

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