Warning of potential blue-green algae bloom at Hillman Marsh Beach

The Windsor-Essex Health Unit says there’s a potential blue-green algae bloom at Hillman Marsh Beach, July 30, 2015. (Chris Campbell / CTV Windsor)

The Windsor-Essex Health Unit says there’s a potential blue-green algae bloom at Hillman Marsh Beach and they are warning people to avoid the water.

The health unit issued the advisory after the bloom was seen during a routine beach water sample collection for E. Coli bacterial counts.

The Essex Region Conservation Authority is aware of the potential bloom and has collected water samples to test for the presence of the microcystins, which is the most common toxin produced during a blue-green algae bloom.

The water samples will be analyzed by the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change lab to assess the level of microcystins in the water.

Area residents are advised not to swim or play in affected water and to avoid letting pets drink water from the affected beach, as they may suffer serious health risks including death.

Contact with microcystins can produce the following negative health effects in humans:

-Skin Contact - Itchy, irritated eyes and skin if you swim, bathe, or shower in contaminated water.

-Swallowed - Small quantities - headaches, fever, diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting.

-Large quantities - more serious health effects may occur such as liver damage.

The advisory will remain in effect until test results for microcystins are received from the MOECC lab and reviewed by the Health Unit.