A health warning has been issued for Lake Rotoehu as routine monitoring results provided by the Bay of Plenty Regional Council have confirmed a bloom of potentially toxic blue-green algae.

'The health warning means that people should avoid any activity which results in significant contact with the lake water,” says Dr Neil de Wet, Medical Officer of Health for Toi Te Ora – Public Health Service.

Potentially toxic blue-green algae has been found in a Bay of Plenty lake.

Contact with algal blooms can cause asthma and hayfever attacks in susceptible individuals, as well as skin rashes, stomach upsets, and in some cases neurological effects such as tingling around the mouth, headaches, breathing difficulties and visual problems.

Monitoring will continue and any changes in advice will be communicated accordingly. The public can obtain up-to-date information on this health warning and others for the Bay of Plenty and Lakes districts through these channels:

Phone: 0800 221 555

Website: www.ttophs.govt.nz/health_warnings

Twitter: www.twitter.com/ttophs

Email alerts for subscribers: www.ttophs.govt.nz/alert