How dangerous is blue-green algae?

Be sure of your skills and take an at-home first aid course for Babies & Children. Learn what to do in case of an accident involving your little one. This course is often reimbursed by your insurer if you have additional coverage.Find more information here.

With this delightful weather, a bit of cooling down is more than welcome. That's why we gratefully head out to the beaches and recreational lakes. Unfortunately, high temperatures often coincide with the arrival of blue-green algae in swimming water. We are all warned about it, but how dangerous is blue-green algae really, and how do you know where it's safe to swim?

Perhaps you've already seen the headlines. You also can hardly miss the warning signs at various recreational lakes: blue-green algae have now been detected in several places in the Netherlands. Although it sounds harmless, you should definitely be cautious of blue-green algae. If you ingest water containing this bacterium, you can become very ill.

What is blue-green algae and how can you recognize it?
Blue-green algae – the official name is cyanobacteria – is not an algae but a bacterium. However, blue-green algae behave like algae, making them difficult to distinguish from real algae and seaweeds. Yet you can recognize them – especially in large groups: you will see a green layer over the water. Moreover, blue-green algae start to smell bad when they die. Fortunately, the swimming water is regularly checked by Rijkswaterstaat. Want to know how it is in your area? Onhttp://www.zwemwater.nl/you can check if the swimming water is safe.

Is it prohibited to swim if there is blue-green algae in the water?
If there is blue-green algae in the water, a negative swimming advisory is issued. Although it is not prohibited to swim, it is strongly discouraged. Even if you don't swallow contaminated water, you are likely to experience skin or eye irritations. Unfortunately, blue-green algae are persistent and do not just go away. Heavy rainfall and storms can wash away the blue-green algae. Does this mean you can't swim in natural water for the rest of the summer? No. Fortunately, there are still plenty of areas where the swimming water is safe.

What symptoms can you experience?
You may experience skin and eye irritations within 12 hours. If you accidentally ingest contaminated water, for example through your nose or mouth, you are likely to develop fever, headache, and stomach and intestinal issues (diarrhea and vomiting). Additionally, you may suffer from a sore or red throat, earache, a runny nose, or swollen lips. Some blue-green algae can even cause paralysis or breathing problems. Children should be especially careful, as they are more vulnerable and may unknowingly swallow water. For certain animal species, blue-green algae can even be fatal. Although symptoms usually resolve within 5 days, it is advisable to make an appointment with your doctor if you experience severe symptoms.

Be sure of your skills and take an at-home first aid course for Babies & Children. Learn what to do in case of an accident involving your little one. This course is often reimbursed by your insurer if you have additional coverage.
Find more information here.