Possible blue-green algal bloom at Moonlight Beach, Sudbury's health unit warns
Health officials in Sudbury are investigating a possible blue-green algal bloom at Moonlight Beach on Lake Ramsey in Sudbury.
In a news release, Public Health Sudbury & Districts said the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks is testing water samples to confirm the presence of blue-green algae.
"As a precaution, Public Health Sudbury & Districts has posted signs advising the public to avoid swimming, drinking the water, and allowing pets into the water if the algal bloom is present at the beach," the release said.
"If no bloom is present, water can be used for regular recreational activities."
Blue-green algal blooms could also appear in other parts of the lake because blooms are not anchored. That allows them to move from one location to another through wind and water action. New blooms can also form.
"All residents on lakes or rivers should look for blooms in their area," the health unit said.
"Blue-green algal blooms have an unsightly pea soup appearance and foul smell, and can produce toxins."
The highest concentrations are usually found in blooms and scum on the shoreline. It's these "dense accumulations" that pose the greatest risk, the release said.
"The algae toxins can irritate a person’s skin and, if ingested, cause diarrhea and vomiting. If a person ingests high levels of toxin, they could suffer liver and nervous system damage."
For more information, visit the health unit's website or call 705-522-9200, ext. 398, or toll-free 1-866-522-9200.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
More than 115 cases of eye damage reported in Ontario after solar eclipse
More than 115 people who viewed the solar eclipse in Ontario earlier this month experienced eye damage after the event, according to eye doctors in the province.
Toxic testing standoff: Family leaves house over air quality
A Sherwood Park family says their new house is uninhabitable. The McNaughton's say they were forced to leave the house after living there for only a week because contaminants inside made it difficult to breathe.
Decoy bear used to catch man who illegally killed a grizzly, B.C. conservation officers say
A man has been handed a lengthy hunting ban and fined thousands of dollars for illegally killing a grizzly bear, B.C. conservation officers say.
B.C. seeks ban on public drug use, dialing back decriminalization
The B.C. NDP has asked the federal government to recriminalize public drug use, marking a major shift in the province's approach to addressing the deadly overdose crisis.
OPP responds to apparent video of officer supporting anti-Trudeau government protestors
The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) says it's investigating an interaction between a uniformed officer and anti-Trudeau government protestors after a video circulated on social media.
An emergency slide falls off a Delta Air Lines plane, forcing pilots to return to JFK in New York
An emergency slide fell off a Delta Air Lines jetliner shortly after takeoff Friday from New York, and pilots who felt a vibration in the plane circled back to land safely at JFK Airport.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
Last letters of pioneering climber who died on Everest reveal dark side of mountaineering
George Mallory is renowned for being one of the first British mountaineers to attempt to scale the dizzying heights of Mount Everest during the 1920s. Nearly a century later, newly digitized letters shed light on Mallory’s hopes and fears about ascending Everest.
Loud boom in Hamilton caused by propane tank, police say
A loud explosion was heard across Hamilton on Friday after a propane tank was accidentally destroyed and detonated at a local scrap metal yard, police say.