There is a global concern regarding the occurrences of harmful algal blooms (HABs) and their effects on human health. Lake Victoria (LV) has been reported to face eutrophication challenges, resulting in an increase of bloom-forming cyanobacteria. This study is aimed at understanding the association of HABs and health risks at Ukerewe Island. A cross-sectional study conducted on 432 study subjects and water samples for cyanobacteria species identification were collected at LV shores. The results reveal that concentrations of cyanobacteria cells are beyond (WHO) acceptable limits; species of Microcystis aeruginosa range from 90,361.63 to 3,032.031.65 cells/mL and Anabaena spp. range from 13,310.00 to 4,814,702 cells/mL. Water usage indicates that 31% use lake water, 53% well water and 16% treated supplied pipe water. Vomiting and throat irritation was highly reported by lake water users as compared to wells and pipe water (P < 0.001). Gastrointestinal illness (GI) was significantly elevated among lake water users as compared to pipe and well water users (P < 0.001). Visible blooms in lake water were associated with GI, skin irritation and vomiting as compared to water without visible blooms (P < 0.001). The concentration of cyanobacteria blooms poses greater risks when water is used without treatment.

中文翻译：

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维多利亚湖淡水使用者中有害的藻华和相关健康风险：坦桑尼亚乌克雷威岛。

有害藻华（HABs）的发生及其对人类健康的影响引起了全球关注。据报道，维多利亚湖（LV）面临富营养化挑战，导致形成水华的蓝细菌数量增加。这项研究旨在了解乌克雷岛的HABs与健康风险之间的关系。对432名研究对象进行了横断面研究，并在LV海岸收集了用于鉴定蓝细菌物种的水样品。结果表明，蓝细菌细胞的浓度超出了（WHO）可接受的范围；铜绿微囊藻的种类范围从90,361.63至3,032.031.65细胞/ mL和鱼腥藻属。范围从13,310.00至4,814,702细胞/ mL。用水量表明31％的人使用湖水，53％的井水和16％的处理过的自来水。与井水和管道水相比，湖水使用者报告了呕吐和喉咙刺激（P <0.001）。与管道和井水使用者相比，湖水使用者的胃肠道疾病（GI）显着升高（P <0.001）。与无可见水华的水相比，湖水中可见水华与胃肠道，皮肤刺激和呕吐有关（P <0.001）。如果不经处理使用水，则蓝藻水华的浓度会带来更大的风险。与没有明显水华的水相比，皮肤刺激和呕吐（P <0.001）。如果不经处理使用水，则蓝藻水华的浓度会带来更大的风险。与没有明显水华的水相比，皮肤刺激和呕吐（P <0.001）。如果不经处理使用水，则蓝藻水华的浓度会带来更大的风险。