Residents warned by health officials to avoid parts of the Charles River because of a potentially dangerous cyanobacteria algae bloom.
The algae and cyanobacteria are plantlike organisms that can grow quickly out of control in the water and produce toxins that make people and animals sick.
The advisory will take at least a week to lift: The Massachusetts Department of Public Health must take two rounds of samples collected a week apart that indicate the algae are no longer at levels that are considered unsafe, officials said in a Friday email.
The previous bloom lasted 11 weeks, ending Oct. 28.
For now, the Cambridge Public Health Department is telling people to avoid the river downstream of Massachusetts Avenue and the Harvard Bridge, including Broad Canal, Lechmere Canal, North Point Park, Lederman Park, the Community Boating docks and Storrow Lagoon. Avoid contact with the water and any areas where there is visible blue-green algae, department officials said.
That means no swimming, fishing, boating, jet ski use or other recreational activities on or in the water, no eating of fish from this area and no letting dogs swim in or drink the water.
“If you, your child, or your pet comes in contact with the water, rinse off immediately,” officials said. “Harmful algal blooms can be deadly for animals. Contact a veterinarian immediately if your pet seems sick after going in or near water. Animals can get very sick or even die within hours of coming into contact with harmful algae or cyanobacteria.”
For people, contact can cause skin and eye irritation, and inhalation or ingestion can cause respiratory irritation and other illness. If the blue-green algae are producing toxins, the health effects can be serious. Information about illnesses caused by harmful algal blooms can be found on here.
