Potential Blue Green Algae bloom identified

IMPORTANT: A potential blue-green algae bloom on Fox Point Lake was identified by the NS Department of Environment and Climate Change. Please do not touch it, swim in it or drink the water.

Algae blooms can look like fine grass clippings in the water, spilled paint, pea soup, or sometimes like thick scum.

Toxins in the algae can make people sick and be fatal for pets if ingested. In people, blue-green algae exposure when swimming can cause itchy, irritated eyes and skin. Swallowing or inhaling the water can cause headaches, fever, diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting. Prolonged exposure can damage the liver. Children are at greater risk because of their lower body weight. They also tend spend more time in water and are more likely to swallow it. In pets, exposure to blue-green algae can be fatal.