EDIS Number: BH-20150106-46557-NZL
Date / time: 06/01/2015 04:04:59 [UTC]
Event: Biological Hazard
Area: Australia
Country: New Zealand
State/County: South Island
Location: Masterton
Number of Deads: N/A
Number of Injured: N/A
Number of Infected: N/A
Number of Missing: N/A
Number of Affected: N/A
Number of Evacuated: N/A
Damage level: N/A
Description:
Dog walkers are being warned not to let their dogs off their leads around a lake in Masterton, after the discovery of toxic algal bloom. A health warning's been issued for Henley Lake. Council spokesman Grant Hathaway says exposure to a bacteria caused by the decaying algae can cause skin rashes, nausea, and upset tummy and numbness around the mouth or tips of fingers. He says people should contact their doctor or vet if they or their animals are showing symptoms. Mr Hathaway says the toxin has caused a thick surface scum on parts of the lake's shoreline.