FREDERICTON -- Health officials in New Brunswick are warning of a blue-green algae on Nashwaak Lake in the western part of the province.
Dr. Na-Koshie Lamptey, the regional medical officer of health, says water from the lake should not be used for drinking or cooking, since boiling it will not remove the toxins.
Lamptey said while not all algae blooms are harmful to human health, blue-green algae can produce toxins.
Those toxins can cause eye and throat irritation and, if consumed, can lead to severe gastrointestinal illness.
The Department of Health says swimming, water skiing and other activities that involve contact with the water should be avoided in areas of the lake where the water is discoloured or where surface scum is present.
