[Blue-green algae as a cause of human disease]

Blue-green algae can cause significant public health problems. There is an abundance of scientific literature on their effects, but much of it either reports laboratory studies of toxicological effects or discusses practical problems affecting water supply. There are many reports of poisonings of farm animals and wildlife, and a number of reports of adverse health effects in humans, but the effects of blue-green algae on human health do not seem to have attracted serious attention amongst practising physicians. It is probable that the occurrence of blue-green algae in algal blooms in the aquatic environment, often with production of toxins, will continue to increase as a result of human activity. It thus seems important that clinicians should become more aware of their effects. On this background the author briefly summarizes proven and potential adverse effects on health.