Don't swim in Lake Banook, Lake Micmac, HRM advises

Halifax Regional Municipality has issued a blue-green algae bloom risk advisory for Lake Banook and Lake Micmac in Dartmouth, N.S.

Due to the presence of algaeblooms, residents are being asked not to swim in the lakes.

Some types of algae produce toxins during blooms. When the blooms decay, the toxins canbe released into the water posing a risk to people and their pets, the municipality said in a news release Tuesday.

If lake users come into contact with blue-green algae blooms, they're advised to wash with tap water as soon as possible.

The municipality said people and their pets should not swim or wade in areas where the blue-green algae is visible.

People are also advised not to eat any fish that has come from LakeBanookand Lake Micmac.

If someone does ingest water containing blue-green algae, the municipality said they may experience the following symptoms:

• Skin irritation.
• Rash.
• Sore throat.
• Sore red eyes.
• Swollen lips.
• Fever.
• Nausea.
• Vomiting and/or diarrhea.

Children andpeople with compromised immune systemsare at a higher risk of getting sick, the municipality said.

Municipal staff collected water samples to determine the concentration of toxins in the two lakes. The next set of test results isexpected by Thursday, Aug. 23.

An algae bloom along the shore of Lake Micmac atShubiePark in Dartmouthclosed the area to swimming earlier this month. Two areas of Lake Banook were also closeddue to suspected algae blooms.

Three dogsdied after swimming or playing near theSt. John River in Frederictonthis summer, and it was later determinedblue-green algae was the cause of their deaths.