AUTHORITIES have issued health warnings after high levels of blue-green algae were detected at Lake Eppalock.
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Visitors are being urged to avoid direct contact with water at the popular tourist destination and warning signs are expected to remain on the shoreline while high levels of algae remain.
The lake will not be closed and lake manager Goulburn-Murray Water says people will still be able to go out boating, sightseeing, fishing and using camping and barbecue areas.
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Blue-green algae contains toxins that are harmful to humans and animals, GMW acting water quality manager Bianca Atley said.
"Characteristic signs of algae contact are skin rashes or itchiness; sore eyes, ears and nose; or if swallowed, nausea or vomiting," she said.
People who come into contact with affected water should wash affected skin immediately in clean cold water.
It is not possible to say how long blue-green algae will remain at high levels at the lake. It occurs naturally in water bodies and cannot be removed.
Elsewhere in the region, there are no current blue-green algae warnings for fishing and boating hotspots at the Laanecoorie Reservoir and Cairn Curran Reservoir.
Check whether you can swim at GMW's reservoirs by visiting its website.
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