By JO-MARIE BROWN
The toxic algal bloom plaguing central North Island lakes has forced another part of Lake Taupo to close.
Waikato's medical officer of health, Dr Felicity Dumble, yesterday issued a health warning for water around Omori on the southwestern side of the lake.
Last week, Whakaipo Bay on the northern shores
was declared off-limits when high levels of the cyanobacteria bloom were discovered.
Dr Dumble said people should not drink or have any skin contact with the water because the algal bloom could cause asthma or hayfever attacks.
A warning was also issued yesterday for Te Weta Bay at the northwestern end of Lake Rotoiti, near Rotorua.
Five lakes in the region have been cordoned off at various times this year.
Dr Dumble said low-level cyanobacteria occurred in all fresh water worldwide.
"Unfortunately they can multiply to astronomic levels during certain environmental conditions, such as long hours of sunlight, warm, still weather and in water with high nutrient levels," she said.
Health warnings are still in place for the whole of Lake Rotoehu and other parts of Lakes Rotoiti, Tarawera and Taupo.
Herald Feature: Conservation and Environment
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