THE BULOKE Shire has advised that Wooroonook Lakes continues to be affected by a blue-green algae bloom.
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The Buloke Shire has advised not to swim in algae-affected water at the lake north-east of Donald and to avoid any direct contact.
Direct contact with blue-green algae can cause allergic reactions such as skin rashes or itchiness; sore eyes, ears and nose or, if swallowed gastroenteritis, nausea or vomiting.
People who come in contact with contaminated water should wash immediately in fresh water and seek medical advice if experiencing illness after contact with affected water.
Any fish harvested from blue-green algae affected water should have gills and guts removed prior to cooking.
People should not eat whole fish, or shellfish or crustaceans collected from Wooroonook Lakes.
The Buloke Shire released two warnings for algae in Wooroonook Lakes in January.
The Buloke Shire has advised that the type of algae affecting Wooroonook Lakes produces toxins that can concentrate in shellfish and crustaceans and also accumulate in the liver and internal organs of fish. Ingesting blue-green algae toxins can lead to serious illness.
Water from the affected body should not be used for drinking, cooking or other domestic uses.
Boiling the affected water will not make it safe for use.
For any health issues experienced after contact with algae-affected water, please seek medical advice immediately.
Pet owners should prevent pets from drinking or having direct contact with contaminated water.
The Buloke Shire has advised visitors to the area that they can still enjoy other recreational activities such as bushwalking, boating and sightseeing around the lake.
The Buloke Shire Council staff will continue to regularly monitor the algal bloom through visual inspections and laboratory analysis of samples.
For more information call the Buloke Shire on 1300 520 520.
