Kansas health officials warn waterfowl hunters who use dogs to keep the canines out of waterways contaminated with harmful blue-green algae.

Dogs that drink or swim in contaminated water may become extremely ill or die.

Eating dried algae along shorelines can have the same results.

The agencies caution that dangerous blue-green algae blooms can remain a threat to humans and pets through October or later.

Symptoms in dogs usually appear within 30 minutes, including vomiting, diarrhea, difficulty breathing and general weakness. Hunters whose dogs appear sick should contact a veterinarian immediately.

Human exposure can cause similar symptoms, including headaches, fever and rashes.

Warnings are in place at four lakes in Kansas: Hiawatha City Lake, Brown County; Lake Warnock in Atchison County; Logan City Lake, Phillips County and at Memorial Park Lake also known as Veteran’s Lake in Barton County

Advisories are in effect at Mission Lake in Jackson County and at Rose’s Lake in Johnson County.

Find out more here.