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Health warning removed cyanobacteria bloom at Lake Pegasus
Health warning removed for cyanobacteria bloom at Lake
Pegasus
The Community and Public Health division of the Canterbury District Health Board has lifted its cyanobacteria bloom health warning issued for Lake Pegasus.
Recent water testing at Lake Pegasus has shown the quantity of potentially toxic cyanobacteria in the lake has decreased and concentrations are now below the levels that are of concern to public health.
Canterbury Medical Officer of Health Dr Ramon Pink says ”the lake is monitored weekly over the summer months only. Visual inspections will recommence again in November when the occurrence of the cyanobacteria blooms is more likely to occur due to the warmer weather conditions.”
Facts about cyanobacteria:
• The cyanobacteria
occur naturally but can increase rapidly during warmer
months.
• If the water is cloudy, discoloured or has
small globules suspended in it, avoid all
contact.
• Not all cyanobacterial blooms are visible to
the naked eye and toxins can persist after the blooms
disappear.
• Cyanobacterial concentrations can change
quickly with changing environmental conditions (e.g. wind).
If a health warning is in place avoid contact with the
water.
• If a warning is in place, people and animals
should not drink the water from the lake at any time, even
boiled water.
• Exposure to a cyanobacteria bloom can
cause skin rashes, nausea, stomach cramps, tingling and
numbness around the mouth and fingertips. If you experience
any of these symptoms visit your doctor immediately and
please let your doctor know if you have had contact with
lake water when there is a health warning in place.
For further information visit
https://www.ecan.govt.nz/your-region/your-environment/water/swimming-water-quality/
Or
contact Community and Public Health on (03) 364 1777.
For more information on Mahinga kai:
Mahinga Kai
ENDS
Canterbury DHB
CDHB
Canterbury District Health Board (CDHB) is a Christchurch, New Zealand based hospital and healthcare provider for the
Canterbury region of New Zealand. Our region extends from Kekerengu in the North, to Rangitata in the South and Arthurs Pass in the West and comprises the six Territorial Local Authorities of Kaikoura, Hurunui, Waimakariri, Christchurch City, Selwyn and Ashburton.
We collaborate with other health and disability organisations, stakeholders and our community to decide what health and disability services are needed and how to best use the funding we receive from Government to improve, promote and protect the health, wellbeing and independence of our population.
At the Canterbury DHB, our vision is to improve the health and wellbeing of people living in Canterbury.
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