Category: Medical Officer of Health

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Cyanobacteria health warning lifted from Lake Rotokauri

Source: Waikato District Health Board

The Public Health warning issued for Lake Rotokauri at the beginning of the year has been lifted today by National Public Health Service (NPHS), after subsequent tests showed that cyanobacterial levels are below the warning level.

Lakes Rotoroa (Hamilton Lake), Hakanoa, Waikare, Whangape and Kainui continue to have a cyanobacterial health warning in place, while this warning is extreme at Lake Ngā Roto.

Medical Officer of Health Dr Richard Wall recommends that for lakes with a health warning in place, “people should avoid any activity in or near these lakes that could lead to skin contact with the affected water, or the water being swallowed.”

“Toxins released by cyanobacteria can trigger asthma and hayfever symptoms, skin rashes, stomach upsets, and neurological effects such as tingling around the mouth, headaches, breathing difficulties and visual problems.”

The symptoms may not appear until sometime after contact with affected water.

“If you do come into contact with water at lakes when warnings are in place or where there were visible changes in water colour, shower and change your clothing as soon as possible afterwards, even if you do not have symptoms,” adds Dr Wall.

“If you feel unwell after coming in contact with the lake you should seek health advice from your doctor or by calling Healthline on 0800 611 116. Please also report it to the NPHS Waikato office on (07) 838 2569.”

Scums formed by algal blooms are a particular risk because they contain a high level of toxins. If contact with scum does occur, skin should be rinsed clean and clothing changed as soon as possible.

“It’s particularly important for parents to keep an eye on children if you’re down at the water as these scums can form at the edge of the lake and children will sometimes play with them.”

Dog owners should prevent their dogs from drinking or swimming in the water, or eating algal bloom scum as dogs are particularly sensitive to cyanobacteria and could become seriously ill.

To check if recreational water spots near you are safe for swimming and playing in visit https://www.lawa.org.nz/explore-data/waikato-region/. Information is also available from Waikato Regional Council at https://www.waikatoregion.govt.nz/environment/water/algal-blooms/

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CYANOBACTERIAL WARNING UPDATE: Significant rise of cyanobacterial levels for Lake Ngā Roto

Source: Waikato District Health Board

Cyanobacterial levels at Lake Ngā Roto have risen to extremely high levels this week, with a consequential increase in health risk to the public. The cyanobacteria biovolume is 123mm3/L compared to the New Zealand guideline level of 1.8mm3/L.

A health warning was issued for Lake Ngā Roto on 8 November 2023. The Te Whatu Ora Waikato Public Health Service is issuing this update to warn people of this significant increase in cyanobacterial levels.

Cyanobacterial bloom at Lake Ngā Roto – image courtesy of Mark Palmer

“We strongly recommend that people avoid any recreational activities that involves contact with the water” says Dr Richard Wall, Medical Officer of Health for Waikato. “People using boats are also advised to stay off the lake, because of the risk of contact with the water”.

The predominant cyanobacterial species present in the lake is a type that is known to produce toxins in New Zealand, which can cause serious illness. The cyanobacterial bloom extends to most parts of the

lake, and is not restricted to the edges of the lake. However, scums may accumulate along the shoreline and are a particular risk as they may contain particularly high levels of toxins.

Cyanobacterial toxins can trigger asthma and hayfever symptoms, can cause skin rashes, stomach upsets, and in some cases neurological effects such as tingling around the mouth, headaches, breathing difficulties and visual problems.

These symptoms may not appear until some time after contact with the affected water. Long-term exposure to cyanobacterial toxins may cause additional health risks.

If contact with water does occur, skin should be rinsed clean and clothing changed as soon as possible.

Dog owners should prevent their dogs from drinking or swimming in the water, as dogs are particularly sensitive to cyanobacteria.

Te Whatu Ora Public Health Unit for Waikato would like to be informed about health problems that develop after exposure to any of the Waikato lakes. Phone Waikato Public Health Service: 07 838 2569.

Lakes Hakanoa, Waikare and Kainui continue to have a cyanobacterial health warning in place.

Up-to-date information on cyanobacterial risk is available by visiting the Land Air Water Aotearoa (LAWA) website at https://www.lawa.org.nz/explore-data/waikato-region/

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CYANOBACTERIAL WARNING UPDATE: Health warning issued again for Lake Rotoroa (Hamilton Lake) and remains in place for Lakes Hakanoa, Whangape, Waikare and Kainui

Source: Waikato District Health Board

A health warning has as of today been placed on Lake Rotoroa. An earlier health warning had only been lifted recently on Thursday 28 September 2023. However, a highly unusual incidence of cyanobacterial species growth has occurred over the past few days, causing increased levels in more recent laboratory testing. The warning signs at the lake will continue to show the ‘Alert’ warning until two consecutive samples show that the risk has decreased.

Lakes Hakanoa, Whangape, Waikare and Kainui continue to have a cyanobacterial health warning in place.

Cyanobacteria levels are regularly monitored at Lakes Rotoroa, Kainui, Rotokauri, Ngā Roto, Puketirini, Waikare, Whangape, Hakanoa and Waahi.

Dr Richard Vipond, Te Whatu Ora Medical Officer of Health for Waikato recommends that where cyanobacteria health warnings are in place, lakes should not be used for any recreational activity that involves contact with the affected water.

“Swallowing water from lakes affected by blooms should also be avoided,” said Dr Vipond.

Cyanobacteria can release toxins which can trigger asthma and hayfever symptoms, and can cause skin rashes, stomach upsets, and in some cases neurological effects such as tingling around the mouth, headaches, breathing difficulties and visual problems.

These symptoms may not appear until some time after contact with the affected water.

Scums are a particular risk because they contain a high level of toxins.  If contact with scum does occur, skin should be rinsed clean and clothing changed as soon as possible. This warning is particularly important for children.”

“If people do come into contact with the lake when warnings are in place, or any other lake where there are visible changes to water colour, they should shower and change their clothing as soon as possible afterwards, even if no symptoms are noticeable,” he said.

Dog owners should prevent their dogs from drinking or swimming in the water, as dogs are particularly sensitive to cyanobacteria.

Te Whatu Ora Public Health Unit for Waikato would like to be informed about health problems that develop after exposure to any of the Waikato lakes.

Phone Waikato Public Health Service: 07 838 2569