RI Health Warns of Blue-Green Algae in 2 Roger Williams Park Ponds & Other Water Bodies

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RI Health Warns of Blue-Green Algae in 2 Roger Williams Park Ponds & Other Water Bodies

RI Health warns of blue-green algae in 2 Roger Williams Park ponds
The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) is warning citizens to avoid contact with Polo Lake and the Japanese Gardens in Roger Williams Park due to blue-green algae.

This warning follows one from RIDOH last week about blue-green algae in Pleasure, Elm, and Roosevelt lakes at Roger Williams Park.

According to RIDOH, those advisories remain in effect.

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“With the exception of Deep Spring Lake, the ponds in Roger Williams Park are all interconnected.  Any area of the park’s waters could develop a bloom, and visitors should avoid any areas that are green and discolored,” says RIDOH.

Other Water Bodies Affected

According to RIDOH, Georgiaville Pond in Smithfield and Carbuncle Pond in Coventry are currently being investigated for potential blue-green algae blooms.

The ponds are not under advisories at this time.

RIDOH adds that the advisories issued for Newport’s Almy Pond, Portsmouth’s Sisson Pond, Cranston’s JL Curran Reservoir and Providence’s Mashapaug Pond are also still in effect.

Blue-Green Algae

According to the Department of Health, blue-green algae can produce toxins, including microcystins, that can harm humans and animals.

Contact with water containing blue-green algae commonly causes irritation of the skin, nose, eyes, and/or throat.

Common health effects associated with ingesting water containing algal toxins include stomach ache, diarrhea, vomiting, and nausea. Rarer health effects include dizziness, headache, fever, liver damage, and nervous system damage. Young children and pets are at a particular risk for health effects associated with algal toxins.

People who have had contact with these ponds and experience those symptoms should contact their healthcare provider.

If residents come into contact with the water, they should rinse skin with clean water as soon as possible and take a shower and wash clothes when they get home.

Similarly, if a pet comes into contact with the water, immediately wash it with clean water. Do not let the animal lick algae off its fur.

If a pet shows any symptoms of blue-green algae poisoning, including loss of energy, loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, or any unexplained sickness that occurs within a day or so after being in contact with water, call a veterinarian.


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