Municipal officials in the Halifax area have closed a popular lakeside beach after the discovery of a toxin-producing blue-green algae bloom.
The beach at Springfield Lake in Middle Sackville closed Saturday.
Blue-green algae naturally occurs in freshwater environments and may grow when weather conditions are calm and warm.
Some types of blue-green algae produce toxins, which can pose a risk to pets and people.
- How hot is too hot to work? Report calls for heat protections for B.C. workers
- Police investigate suspected hate crime after fake severed hand left at Montreal Islamic centre
- The number of wildfires in Alberta has dropped but air quality remains poor
- WATCH: Global Okanagan News at 5:30 p.m. – July 21
Get breaking National news
Residents are being asked to keep their pets away from the water and to avoid any areas where blue-green algae is visible or in areas that have been closed to swimming.
Municipal officials say anyone coming into contact with blue-green algae or who ingest water containing it may experience skin irritation, rash, sore throat, sore red eyes, swollen lips, fever, nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea — and children and immune-compromised individuals are at a higher risk of getting sick.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 1, 2023.
Comments
Want to discuss? Please read our Commenting Policy first.