Health Warning Issued for Lake Rotokare

15 December 2010

Taranaki’s Medical Officer of Health, Dr Greg Simmons, issued a health warning for Lake Rotokare in South Taranaki today. 

Routine sampling by the Taranaki Regional Council has found high levels of Cyanobacter in the Lake water. 

People should not use the Lake for any purpose, e.g. swimming, boating, skiing, or sourcing water for consumption or irrigation.

South Taranaki District Council will be erecting warning notices near the Lake.

Cyanobacter is an algae capable of producing toxins, most commonly causing skin and eye irritation but, depending on the toxin, also possibly causing:

• Sore throat
• Asthma symptoms
• Liver damage
• Paralysis
• Irregular breathing or twitching
• Weakness, vomiting, cold extremities, and diarrhea

Further testing will be continued after Christmas. The health warning will be removed once samples have shown levels considered to be safe.

For more information please call
Sue Carrington
TDHB Media Advisor
Phone 021 367 789

Last updated: Monday, August 13, 2012