Blue green algae warning for Mayo due to high temperatures

Mayo County Council has issued a Blue/Green Algae Warning as natural algae spread along river and lake shorelines in warmer weather.

Natural algae blooms and cyanobacteria produce toxins that can cause illnesses in humans and present a death risk to animals, especially dogs.

The warning was issued as a result of warmer temperatures and the release of a Status Yellow Heat Warning across Mayo.

The blooms can appear as green or blue-green clumps looking like paint at the water surface, or spume on the shore.

When faced with such accumulations, Mayo County Council advises the public to not touch the algae, to wash your hands if you touch the algae and to keep children away from the algae.

Members of the public are also advised to keep their pets away from the algae, to not let pets drink algae-invested water, to wash them immediately if they come into contact with suspect water, and to quickly contact a vet if a pet becomes unexpectedly sick after a walk or a swim.

Mayo County Council asked the public to take photographs of observed algae where possible.