Part of triathlon cancelled and pet owners warned of potential dangers…
A POTENTIALLY toxic algae has been found in Castlewellan Lake.
The local council and NI Environment Agency (NIEA) reported the discovery of the notorious blue-green algae in the lake at Castlewellan Forest Park at the weekend, leading to the cancellation of part of a triathlon and a warning to local animal and livestock owners.
Potentially lethal to pets and harmful to humans, with its visible scum on the water’s surface, this discovery has led to a warning not come into contact with the algae.
Due to the discovery, the organisers of the Mourne Sprint Triathlon, due to take place in Castlewellan Forest Park this Saturday (7 September), had to abruptly change their plans, removing the swimming section of the competition, and changing the format to a duathlon.
In a social media post, Olympian Triathlon Belfast said this weekend’s event will adopt a ‘run, bike, run’ format.’
‘We have just been informed, just this afternoon, that The Northern Ireland Environment Agency have confirmed a report of blue-green algae at Castlewellan Lake,’ Saturday’s post read.
Noting that people should not enter or swim in the water, use it for recreational water sports, drink it, let dogs or livestock near the water, and that they should not fish, or eat fish caught recreationally from the water, the post continued: ‘As a result, it would be unsafe for the swim leg of Mourne Sprint Triathlon to go ahead! Unfortunately, this is totally out of our control.
‘We are incredibly disappointed and apologise for any inconvenience and disappointment,’ it added.
This was followed with the group’s director, Chris Campbell, telling BBC Radio Ulster’s Evening Extra programme on Monday that the organisers did not want “to risk athletes potentially getting ill”.
So far this year, there have been in the region of 170 confirmed reports of blue-green algae in Northern Ireland.
During the interview, Mr Campbell confirmed that the swim portion of this weekend’s competition had to be rearranged.
“We will be running a duathlon, so there will be a run, bike, run format,” he said.
“The event will still go ahead in Castlewellan, but unfortunately none of the athletes will be able to swim in the lake due to the algae.”
Adding that the water quality had in previous years been “very, very good”, he continued: “We’ve never had to cancel the swim there before, but unfortunately, this algae seems to be everywhere at the minute.”
In a statement, DAERA says the presence of the algae was confirmed last Friday, 30 August, but added that “any decision made to restrict access or activities on the lake is a matter for the site operator or event organiser”.
The local council also provided updates via its social media channels about the problem, including telling people ‘the public are asked to observe and abide by any warning notices positioned around the water’.
With the park, and the lakeside trail being a particularly popular route with dog owners, a local veterinary surgeon said that should any animal consume or come into contact with contaminated water, then they should wash their fur in the first instance, with plenty of fresh water, to try and prevent their pet from licking their coat and ingesting the substance.
Catherine Savage, who owns Donard Veterinary Practice, warned that animals can deteriorate quickly and become very unwell, and “rapidly”.
She said, generally, any watercourse, lake, pond, and stagnant water, should be avoided if this algae is suspected as “it is a public health risk”.
Confirming that it “can be potentially fatal” to animals, Catherine said some early symptoms a dog has digested the algae include severe gastrointestinal issues and even neurological symptoms, such as twitching.
“Avoidance is key,” she continued.
“If there is a warning, or if you think you have spotted the algae, contact the authorities as people need to be made aware of the situation.
“The algae need to be swallowed for it to cause animals harm. Thoroughly wash their coat, ensuring all the algae has been removed and to prevent them from licking their coat as they try to clean themselves.”
She also said anyone with concerns should closely monitor their pet and contact their veterinary surgeon as soon as it is possible.
“Dogs do become rapidly ill, so please keep them on a short lead, and away from the water and even the water’s edge until further notice.”
According to the Public Health Agency’s website, blue-green algae is actually a type of bacteria found in lakes and rivers, and whilst normally invisible to the eye, when environmental conditions are right they multiply, forming a ‘bloom’.
These blooms often appear pea green in colour, and ‘there are no quick or easy remedies for the control of blooms once they appear in a lake or pond’, the website adds.
Pointing out that not all blue-green algae blooms are toxic, but it is impossible to tell if it is toxic by looking at it, the website also states that blue-green algae ‘may produce several different toxins which are harmful to human health’ and that ‘you may be at risk if you use a lake or other body of water which contains a bloom’.