Health Warning Kaūpokonui River and Waingongoro River at Ōhawe

Large amounts of potentially toxic cyanobacteria have been found in the Kaūpokonui River at the beach domain and in the Waingongoro River at Ōhawe.

Cyanobacteria can cause serious illness in humans and animals. Children are at greater risk because their smaller body size means they need to ingest less toxin to become seriously ill, while dogs may be attracted to the musty smell.

Cyanobacteria is a naturally occurring, often appearing as dark green or brown mats attached to rocks in rivers and streams. We have seen that these mats are beginning to detach from rocks and are now floating on the water’s surface and and gathering along the water’s edge.

To stay safe, we advise that you avoid swimming or letting your children and pets enter the water.

Skin contact with cyanobacteria may cause rashes and skin irritation.

Ingesting cyanobacteria may cause:

• nausea

• tummy upset

• tingling or numbness

Signs of poisoning in animals include:

• excessive drooling

• vomiting and diarrhoea

• lethargy or weakness

• difficulty breathing

• convulsion

If you or your pets experience symptoms after contact with the water, or your pets have eaten toxic algae, visit your doctor and/or vet immediately.

Further monitoring for cyanobacteria will be carried out next week.