Saskatchewan’s warmer weather also comes with a warning about the province’s lakes and reservoirs.
The Water Security Agency and Saskatchewan’s Ministry of Health said patches of blue-green algae can start appearing, and advises people, pets, and livestock to stay away.
Water with the algae can look shimmering, foamy, and can have a pea soup-like appearance, and can look blue-green, bright blue, grey, or tan.
Get weekly health news
The province said this can occur during hot, calm weather in places that have shallow, still, or slow-moving water.
Algae blooms can last up to three weeks, and can move around lakes and reservoirs from the wind pushing them.
The ministry said that direct contact with, or drinking the water can cause red skin, a sore throat, nausea, cramps, diarrhea and vomiting.
- ‘Not putting up with this’: VPD directing drug users to overdose prevention sites
- Vitamin D and calcium may not support bone health as much as thought: study
- Saskatoon complex needs facility provides alternative to police cells, ERs for people at risk
- Red Deer woman’s 31-month wait for MRI sparks fear and anger: ‘Really unreasonable’
People are also being warned about consuming fish and shellfish from water where blooms exist, adding that the internal organs shouldn’t be eaten.
Comments
Want to discuss? Please read our Commenting Policy first.