Waterborne Hazards Resources

HAB Resources

HAB Webpage, Surveillance Map & General Information

Harmful Algal Bloom – Main Page 
It is the official VDH-DEE-HAB website. It contains information and resources related to the Harmful Algal Bloom Program.

Harmful Algal Bloom Surveillance-Map  
It reflects the status of algae blooms during HAB season (March-November), as well as the results of algae bloom samples. The map is updated weekly or as needed year around.

HAB Online Report Form
The form provides an option for online HAB report submittal. It can be utilized by the publics and environmental health professionals. It provides an easy way for the primary task force members to communicate HAB reports received by them with one another and to request assistance.

Example of a bloom webpage for featuring a bloom of significance and a link to the FAQs. These pages facilitate public outreach during bloom events.
https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/environmental-epidemiology/alexandrium-monilatum-hab-in-lower-york-lower-james-rivers-and-chesapeake-bay/

https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/environmental-epidemiology/frequently-asked-questions-faqs-alexandrium-monilatum

HAB Taskforce Response Plan (2017) 
The response plan is intended as a brief, public-facing document which articulates the function, roles, and responsibilities of the primary taskforce agencies and expectations on services provided by each during HAB events.

 HAB Universal Talking Points

VDH Brochures:

Poison Hotline & Map of Centers 
Poison Control Centers may be engauged to utilize HAB talking points and specific waterbody-bloom information to the public during bloom events

Epidemiology Resources & Information

HAB Process Flow
The flow chart is intended to serve as a job aide for VDH staff for the coordinating, reporting, and investigating of HAB events.

*VDH HAB Human Screening Form 
Is intended to facilitate the investigation of a reported waterborne exposure, such that the local health district can more easily determine whether or not the more comprehensive OHHABS human report form is necessary.

CDC-One Health Harmful Algal Bloom System (OHHABS) Online Guidance and Training Resources 
The newly launched OHHABS system provides a database for collecting and storing environmental, animal, and human HAB exposure information.

*OHHABS- Human Form and Guidance
May be utilized by Epi Staff when one or more exposures are reported

Event and Case Definitions
Tables offer definition of HAB event and human HAB associated case.

CDC – HAB Associated Illness and Syndromes

VDH – Marine Toxins and Associated Syndromes

VDH – Cyanobacteria Toxins and Health Effects

 *Fax completed forms to DEE (804-864-8131) 

Resources for Environmental Health Specialists

VDH – Provisional Recreational Water Guidance for Microcystin and Microsystis Blooms 
(2012)This document supports decision-making by public health & environmental officials in response to the occurrence of a Microcystis algal bloom in Virginia’s waters. We are currently updating the Recreational Water Guidance for Freshwater Harmful Algae Blooms. We will update this page with the working guidance as soon as possible. Check back soon for a working draft.

Link to EPA May 2019 Human Health Recreational Advisory HABs Factsheet: https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2019-05/documents/hh-rec-criteria-habs-factsheet-2019.pdf

HAB Public Notification 

Press Releases
Template press releases for issuing or lifting recreational advisories.

HAB Signs
Signs for raising HAB-awareness  and posting HAB-affected waterways.

EPA – Template Social Media Posts

Issuing an advisory
Lifting an advisory

Standard Operating Procedure For Sample Collection 

This document explains the safety procedures, supplies, collection, and shipping steps necessary for HAB water samples.

Visual Guide to Observing Blooms
This guide is provided by CA Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program (SWAMP). It contains images of various HAB to help users identifying and reporting non-toxic algae versus cyanobacteria.

HAB Training

HAB Training Main Page

HAB 101 (7/25/17)  – Training Video 

Need a TRAIN Account?
[ARCHIVED in TRAIN – Course ID 1072636] Note – for each viewing, you’ll need to complete a course evaluation.

Presentation PDFs

Training Agenda

HAB Resources (Printable Version)