A health warning has been issued for Lake Rotoehu as routine monitoring results provided by the Bay of Plenty Regional Council have confirmed a bloom of potentially toxic blue-green algae.
Medical Officer of Health Dr Neil de Wet said the health warning meant people should avoid any activity which results in significant contact with the lake water.
Contact with algal blooms can cause asthma and hayfever attacks in susceptible individuals, as well as skin rashes, stomach upsets, and in some cases neurological effects such as tingling around the mouth, headaches, breathing difficulties and visual problems.
Monitoring of the lake will continue.