Hundreds falling ill as GPs worried about algae-linked illnesses say ‘crickets from SA Health’

Residents are skipping their morning beach walks, saying the algal bloom is making them - and their dogs - sick, as GPs lash SA Health for their handling of the crisis.

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Victor Harbor residents Jennie Smart and Phillip Birkett say they’ve been forced to abandon their daily beach walks—after the toxic algae made them and their pets sick.

The long-time friends and fellow dog walkers are among a growing number of locals alarmed by a string of health complaints they believe are linked to algae blooms along the popular beachfront.

It comes as coastal GPs dealing with a surge of illnesses believed to be linked to the algal bloom are asking why SA Health is not giving them public health advice.

Cases including conjunctivitis, skin rashes, respiratory problems and asthma attacks are on the rise in coastal areas where the algal bloom is killing sea life — even affecting people simply walking on the beach.

“My friend lives in Bay Village and has been really sick,” Ms Smart said.

“She developed sores on her face and sore eyes. She lives just 12 minutes from the beach and gets the sea breeze.”

Dogs Molly and Maisy with owners Jennie Smart and Phill Birkett say they have suffered respiratory illnesses from the algal bloom and now avoid the beach. Picture: Dean Martin

Mr Burkett said he also knew another neighbour who had also fallen ill after a stretch of windy weather.

“She had to stay inside because the wind was blowing up the hill, causing her to cough and affecting her eyes,” he said.

Ms Smart said the pair no longer felt safe walking along the beach with their dogs.

“We now walk to the hockey pitch and football pitch to let our dogs run safely,” she said.

“A lot of elderly people are vulnerable, and this is just one more thing they don’t need to worry about.”

Bay Village residents and housemates Susan Sherrah, 74, and Floortje Costain, 78, say they can’t get anywhere near the beach without falling ill — and now their poodle Frankie is suffering too.

“I can’t get closer than 600 metres from the beach or my eyes start burning and itching. They swell up and go very red,” Ms Sherrah said.

“I also break out in rashes, and get sores on my face — that never happened before the algae became a real problem a few months ago. Even my doctor thinks it could be the algae.”

Ms Costain said she can’t stop coughing when they walk near the water, and it’s robbed them of one of the best parts of coastal living.

They’ve also had to take Frankie to the vet after he returned from a beach walk “hot and shaky”.

“It’s changed our lives,” Ms Sherrah said.

“It’s impacted the amount of daily exercise we do. Not only is it so disappointing for us, but it’s also devastating for the local marine life.”

The Royal Australian College of GPs is demanding SA Health issue more comprehensive and highly visible public health advice and specific advice to GPs on what they should be telling concerned patients.

College spokeswoman Dr Emily Kirkpatrick said coastal clinics are seeing a rise in problems related to the algal bloom.

Adelaide GP and spokeswoman for the Royal Australian College of GPs Dr Emily Kirkpatrick. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Naomi Jellicoe

She said the bloom has devastated marine life but little has been said about the growing impact on people.

“While the Department for Environment and Water has issued environmental updates, we’ve seen very little visible public health messaging,” Dr Kirkpatrick said.

“Communities are swimming, fishing and walking pets in affected waters, often without awareness of the short-term health risks such as skin irritation, eye irritation or gastrointestinal issues.

“Where is the co-ordinated response?”

“I would have thought this requires a joint public health and environmental warning — clear signage and beach alerts for our community, information for GPs in affected areas.”

SA Health’s website has alerts dated May 19 for the Goolwa Channel, Southern Fleurieu Peninsula, Yorke Peninsula and Kangaroo Island advising people not to swim in affected areas or to walk on beaches.

It says the algae can cause irritation to the skin, eyes, ears, nose and mouth, and swallowing affected water can cause gastrointestinal symptoms including vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal cramps.

“The algae does not produce a toxin harmful to humans or could cause long term effects,” it states, noting fish caught live are safe to eat.

Dr Kirkpatrick told The Advertiser there had been cases of people suddenly having breathing difficulty while walking on beaches near affected areas.

Seahorses killed by the algal bloom.

A male Great White shark washed up on to Henley Beach. Picture Casey Treloar/7NEWS

“There has not been messaging from SA Health to GPs — it is crazy that GPs are saying they haven’t heard anything from them,” she said.

“It is very concerning there has been a lack of health advice about symptoms and there are questions about whether it is safe to consume seafood.

“People are also worried about their pets. People are going to their GPs for advice but we haven’t heard anything from SA Health. People are understandably anxious.”

SA Health says there has been “extensive public health messaging”.

“For example, currently there is a water quality alert for the Southern Fleurieu Peninsula, Yorke Peninsula and Kangaroo Island areas on our website,” a statement says.

“We have also provided councils in impacted areas with information about the potential health impacts of the blooms, including Victor Harbor Council, and Alexandrina Council where warning signage has been erected as well.

“Additionally, we have liaised with Aboriginal community Groups about the bloom and there have been informative forums chaired by the Deputy Premier and the Primary Industries Minister with the Mayors of the Southern Fleurieu, Kangaroo Island and Yorke Peninsula areas.

“We would also be more than happy to discuss with the RACGP how we can further support GPs in the affected areas, although to date this has not been requested.”

Dr Mike Bossley, who has studied SA’s oceans for nearly five decades, said he hoped the wild weather would “disperse” the algal bloom, but said it was too early to tell.

“As far as I know, we haven’t had an algal bloom like this before and so it’s gonna be a matter of waiting to see.

“But, I think there’s a pretty good chance that it will get broken up and it will disperse the bloom and hopefully with more cold weather coming, conditions for it will get better.

“I am very hopeful that it will see the end of this nasty, nasty bloom but we really won’t know for a few days yet.”