Toxic algae found in two parks in New York City, officials said; children and pets warned to avoid water



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Authorities warn that children and pets must stay away from water points in two New York City parks after being tested positive for the same type of toxic algae that killed several dogs across the country this summer.

Water tests in certain areas of Central Park in Manhattan and Prospect Park in Brooklyn have confirmed the presence of a bacterium likely to produce toxins, according to the Department of Environmental Protection. New York (DEC).

Toxic algae found themselves in Turtle Pond, Central Park and Prospect Park Lake, where the most recent tests earlier this month revealed dangerously high levels of toxins, according to DEC.

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The first laboratory results from the sample taken by New York City Parks on August 11 at Harlem Meer of Central Park also showed high levels of toxins, according to The DEC. The following week, harmful algal blooms were confirmed in Harlem Meer, but toxin levels were below the threshold.

Evidence also suggests that Central Park Lake could be affected.

In North Carolina, three dogs died earlier this month after swimming in a Wilmington pond and being exposed to toxic algae. Their owner wrote on Facebook that dogs had "contracted intoxication with blue-green algae" after swimming and that the algae had killed domestic animals in just a few hours.

Dogs also reportedly died in Austin, Texas, and Marietta, Georgia, after swimming in water filled with algae. Austin has warned pet owners not to let their pets swim in Lady Bird Lake because of the proliferation of algae.

Beware of toxic algae that can kill your dog

Toxic algae have also appeared in several New Jersey lakes this summer, WCBS reported.

Authorities warned that toxic algae could also make children sick.

"When taking advantage of fresh water in urban parks, it is important to avoid contact with algae, to keep pets on a leash and not to let them enter or drink in lakes and ponds, except in the places specifically designated for that purpose ", a. NYC Parks spokeswoman said in a statement sent to Fox News.

"There are many factors that affect the spread of algae, including high levels of nutrients, standing water, high temperatures and lack of oxygen," she said. .

According to the official website of the New York City Parks and Recreation Department, flowers producing blue-green algae (BGA), also known as cyanobacteria, could be toxic.

The ministry warned that it should be assumed that a proliferation of BGA is present when the water looks like pea soup or green, blue or red paint, or when blue or green foam floats on the surface of the water or accumulates along the shore.

BGA could cause irritation of the skin and eyes by contact, asthma-like symptoms due to inhalation of water and gastrointestinal and neurological symptoms related to it. Ingestion, experts said.

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People exposed to water affected by BGA should wash in clear water and seek medical attention if they experience symptoms such as irritation of the skin, eyes or throat; allergic reactions or breathing difficulties; nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, headache or fever, according to experts.

Madeline Farber of James Rogers of Fox News contributed to the writing of this report.

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