Health warning issued over rivers

Health warnings were issued for two popular recreation areas in the lower North Island today.

Horizons Regional Council is urging Dudding Lake visitors near Marton to stay clear of the water after finding elevated concentrations of cyanobacterial toxins caused by blue-green algae during testing at the lake near Marton in the Rangitikei district.

Eating fish from the lake was also being discouraged.

At the same time Kapiti Coast District Council Environmental Health has advised people to take care around the Jim Cooke Park Greenaway Road area of the Waikanae River, as toxic blue-green algae may be present in some areas.

Cyanobacteria occur naturally, but can increase rapidly during summer. The toxins are harmful to humans and animals, causing symptoms such as skin rashes, nausea, upset stomach, and tingling around the mouth and finger tips.

Dogs are particularly susceptible to exposure because they like to scavenge near water.

- NZPA