Hawke’s Bay Regional Council and the Hawke’s Bay District Health Board’s Medical Officer of Health are advising the public to avoid recreational activity at two sites along the Tukituki River as cyanobacterial coverage has reached warning level.
Hawke’s Bay Regional Council and the Hawke’s Bay District Health Board’s Medical Officer of Health are advising the public to avoid recreational activity at two sites along the Tukituki River.
While people are advised to avoid contact with blue-green algal mats at any point in the river, the algal mat coverage has reached warning level at both Walker Road and Tamumu Bridge. District Health Board staff have erected warning signs.
Monitoring by Hawke’s Bay Regional Council has identified growth of potentially toxic blue-green algae mats in several stretches of the Tukituki River. Particular caution needs to be taken with algal mats that are floating on the surface or washed up on the river edge.
The algae exist in rivers naturally, but can form mats in continuing warm, dry weather and low river flows. These mats can become toxic. When blue-green algal mats become exposed and easily accessible to people, dogs, and stock they become a health risk.
The algal mats are identifiable by a strong musty odour and can vary in colour from dark green/brown to a pale brown/whitish colour when dry.
DHB Medical Officer of Health Nicholas Jones says that any contact with the toxic form of the algal mat may cause vomiting, diarrhoea and skin irritations in humans. Dogs are particularly susceptible to the toxins, and owners are advised to avoid allowing their dogs to scavenge on the river’s edge.
If any person displays signs of illness after being in a river bed, seek medical advice from a doctor immediately. Similarly, any dogs or other animals that get sick after being in a river should get prompt veterinary attention.
To get the latest information phone the B4USWIM line (0800 B4U SWIM/0800 248 7946) or go to Hawke’s Bay Regional Council’s website, www.hbrc.govt.nz. Monitoring of the situation by Hawke’s Bay Regional Council will continue.