Waterborne Hazards Program Outreach Materials
Beach Monitoring and Notification (BMAN)
Brochures
Fact Sheets
Pollution Response (PREP)
Press Release Templates
Sign Templates
HAB Toolkit
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.
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.
VDH Brochures:
- Harmful Algal Blooms and other Organisms of Concern in Coastal Waters
- Cyanobacteria (Blue-Green Algae)
- Algal Blooms: Information for Virginia’s Working Waterfront
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
Medical, Veterinary and 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.
CDC – HAB Associated Illness and Syndromes
VDH – Marine Toxins and Associated Syndromes
VDH – Cyanobacteria Toxins and Health Effects
CDC - Veterinarian card for Cyanobacteria exposures
Resources for Environmental Health Specialists
Guidance for Cyanobacteria Recreational Advisory Management
(8/2021) This document details the decision-making process for issuing and lifting of bloom advisories by public health & environmental officials in response to the occurrence of a potentially toxigenic cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) blooms in Virginia’s waters.
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 & Posters
Signs for raising HAB-awareness , posting HAB-affected waterways, and animal health alert poster from CDC.
EPA – Template Social Media Posts
Issuing or lifting an advisory For social media posts.
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.