All beaches in Georgina and Whitchurch-Stouffville have been declared unsafe for swimming and other uses after a potentially toxic blue-green algae bloom was confirmed at Roches Point Pier in Lake Simcoe in Georgina.
The beaches under advisory are Cedar Beach at Musselmans Lake in Whitchurch-Stouffville, Claredon Beach Park, De La Salle Park, Franklin Beach, Holmes Point Park, Sheppard Avenue Park, Jacksons Point Harbour/Bonnie Park, Joy Marritt Parkette, North Gwillimbury Park, Willow Beach Park, Peninsula Resort, Corner Park, Willow Wharf Dock and Riverview Park.
York Region Public Health states human exposure to toxins in blue-green algae, also known as cyanobacteria, can cause headaches, fever, diarrhea, abdominal pain, vomiting, skin rashes and irritation. Animal exposure to blue-green algae toxins can be lethal.
If you experience any of these symptoms, seek medical attention.
Public health recommends people and animals stop using, drinking, bathing, or swimming in lake water. If skin contact occurs, wash well with soap and water.
If you supply water to your home from lake or river water near a bloom, consider an alternate water supply for now, such as bottled water; home water treatment systems may not remove toxins. Boiling the water will not remove toxins.
Municipal drinking water is unaffected and remains safe to drink. People can use municipally treated water or bottled water for infant formula preparation and ice-making, the public health unit advises.
Also restrict livestock access to the water.
Be cautious about eating fish caught in water where blue-green algae blooms occur and as always, visitors and residents are reminded to never drink or cook with untreated water directly from any lakes or rivers.
York Region Public Health monitors the water quality at public beaches, extracting at least five samples from each beach twice a week and testing for bacteria.
High levels of bacteria in the water can cause skin, ear, eye, nose, and throat infections as well as stomach disorders, according to York Region Public Health.
For further information about recreational water quality in York Region contact York Region Health Connection at 1-800-361-5653 or TTY at 1-866-512-6228.
