Warning over potential dangers of blue-green algae this summer

The public has been urged to look out for potentially hazardous blue-green algae as the summer gets under way.

Known as cyanbacteria, the tiny organisms bloom naturally in lochs, ponds, reservoirs and rivers as well as in the sea.

Director of public health Dr Margaret Hannah warned: “Canoeists, wind surfers and swimmers who come into contact with the algal scum or who accidentally swallow affected water can suffer from complaints such as skin rashes, eye irritation, vomiting, diarrhoea or pains in muscles and joints. These symptoms are usually mild but in some cases can be severe.”

She added: “The risk to small animals like dogs is significant over the summer months as they tend to drink more water in the heat and may eat shoreline algal crusts. Dog owners should prevent their pets from coming into contact with water which could be affected.”

Dr Hannah said fish caught in affected waters should not be eaten.

The local watercourses being monitored for blue-green algal blooms are Stenhouse Reservoir, Cowdenbeath Community Woodland Ponds, Clatto Reservoir, Craigtoun Park Ponds, Tayport Common Pond, Tarvit Pond, Peppermill Dam, Keir Dam, Bellknows Pond, Raith Lake, Beveridge Park, Jamphlars Pond, Glenrothes Park Pond and Coul.

Monitoring is being carried out at Kinghorn Loch, Town Loch, Loch Ore, Loch Gelly, Loch Fitty, Lindores Loch, Black Loch Newburgh, Birnie and Gaddon Lochs, Golden Loch, Kilconquhar Loch, Newton Farm Loch, Moor Loch, Black Loch, Tollie Hill Loch, Otterston Loch, Dunearn Loch, Silverbarton Hill, Camilla Loch.