Chief public health officer Nicola Spurrier says SA Health to provide support to GPs on health impacts of algal bloom

SA Health will give GPs advice and resources to help patients suffering illness from the algal bloom, as a leading marine biologist reveals storms won’t be a quick fix.

• The algae bloom: Why it’s making us sick
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Chief public health officer Professor Nicola Spurrier will consult with GPs on the algal bloom crisis following The Advertiser’s revelations coastal GPs dealing a surge in algae-related illnesses had received no support from SA Health on what advice to give patients.

It comes as marine biologist Mike Bossley warns Mondays’ storms won’t be a quick fix for the algae problem.

Dr Bossley said it would take a week or two to determine if the rain and wind had washed away some of the algal bloom.

GPs are handling a surge of cases of eye problems including conjunctivitis, ear issues, respiratory problems and skin rashes linked to the bloom, suffered by people who have simply walked on the beach as well as those swimming in affected waters.

The Royal Australian College of GPs complained their members were being given no specific advice on what to tell worried patients, and noted there was limited wider public health messaging from SA Health.

Prof Spurrier now has promised to provide specific resources and support for GPs helping patients experiencing conjunctivitis, skin rashes, respiratory problems and asthma attacks.

RACGP South Australia chairwoman Sian Goodson welcomed the commitment.

Royal Australian College of General Practitioners state chair Dr Sian Goodson.

“This is a positive step forward and the College thanks Prof Spurrier for listening to the concerns of GPs and acting to help us care for patients experiencing health issues related to this toxic algae bloom,” Dr Goodson said.

“Comprehensive and highly visibly public health advice as well as specific advice for GPs helping concerned patients will make a tremendous difference.

“The College looks forward to working closely with SA Health to do all we can to help people experiencing these health concerns.”

The algal bloom the size of Kangaroo Island has caused mass marine casualties, from great white sharks to leafy sea dragons.

A male great white shark washed up on Henley Beach. Picture Casey Treloar/7NEWS

Dead seahorses linked to the algal bloom.

Corny Point and Foul Bay local Lochie Cameron, 28, discovered dead fish of all shapes and sizes across the coastline on Tuesday morning following the algae bloom as well as violent storms.

“I’ve lived at Foul Bay since I was born, and my parents had a shack at Corny well before I was born as well, and I’ve never seen the sea that big,” Mr Cameron said.

“I’ve seen the dune taken before, but this is the biggest ocean swirl I’ve seen.

“It was just the perfect storm of intense wind, king tides and home swell surges.”

Mr Cameron said he suspected the algal bloom contributed to the fish deaths, describing it as “an environmental disaster”.

He’s sceptical the storms will disperse the algal bloom.

“Fingers crossed it will make a change … but I just have a bad feeling it probably won’t,” he said.

Dead Sea life at Foul Bay on the Southern coastline of the Yorke Peninsula. Picture: Lochie Cameron

Dead Sea life at Foul Bay on the Southern coastline of the Yorke Peninsula. Picture: Lochie Cameron

Dr Bossley, who has studied SA’s oceans for nearly five decades, said it was too early to tell if the storm would disperse the bloom.

“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,” he said.

“I don’t think anyone really knows if the storm has had the desired effect but we are all very much hoping so.

“I suspect it will be a week or so before we get an idea of what has happened.”

Originally published as Chief public health officer Nicola Spurrier says SA Health to provide support to GPs on health impacts of algal bloom