Algae bloomed in the waters of New York: they are deadly to animals and harm people

Cyanobacteria have been identified in some bodies of water in New York City. They are produced by blue-green algae that grow in freshwater bodies. This is a common sight in the southeastern United States, but has now made its way to New York State. Cyanobacteria can cause liver failure and death if ingested by dogs or other pets. Symptoms often don't appear until it's too late, so experts advise pet owners to be careful. In addition, cyanobacteria can pose a threat to the health of people, especially young children, writes Only in Your State.

Central Park is a super popular dog walking area, but pet lovers should be careful. There, a harmful algae bloom was found in the pond. The bacteria can be harmful to children and pets, and many dogs die after bathing in contaminated water.

Cyanobacteria are released when algae photosynthesize sunlight to produce food for themselves.

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Sometimes algae blooms are visible on the surface of the water, but not all visible algae are harmful. At the same time, the bloom of blue-green algae can not always be seen with the naked eye, but it is dangerous. Therefore, it is best to be careful not to let dogs into the ponds. Indeed, even if they do not drink water from them, but simply splash, they can still use algae when they begin to lick their wool, and this is also dangerous and can lead to the death of an animal in just a few hours.

Also, make sure that children do not play with water or use it in any way. Adults are also capable of harming algae. If you experience symptoms such as vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, skin, eye, or throat irritation, allergic reactions, or shortness of breath after bathing or drinking water, seek immediate medical attention.

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In addition to Central Park, dangerous blue-green algae have been found in Prospect Park, another popular destination for New York City dog ​​owners.

You can see where dangerous algae are blooming in New York State at this map.

For more information on harmful algal blooms visit New York State Lake Association website.