Swimmers warned of algae blooms, E. coli at Manitoba beaches ahead of long weekend
Manitoba Environment and Climate Change, which monitors the health of 57 beaches across the province through the Manitoba Clean Beaches Program, posted blue-green algae advisory signs at seven beaches this month.
Manitobans should avoid swimming, drinking or bathing in water where blue-green algae is present, the province said. Owners should also ensure their pets do not drink the water.
The province said on its website that blue-green algae has exceeded Manitoba's recreational water quality limits for the bacteria at:
Brereton Lake South Beach.
Hoopers Lake Beach.
Lake Minnedosa Beach.
Plum Coulee Beach.
Rivers Reservoir Beach.
Stephenfield Reservoir Beach.
Sandy Lake Beach.
Blue-green algae, or cyanobacteria, can produce toxins that are harmful to humans and animals, the province warns. Warm, calm weather can create an ideal environment for algae to grow, forming thick scum or clumps on top of the water that give off a foul smell.
Exposure to blue-green algae toxins can cause nausea, vomiting, headache, diarrhea, skin/eye irritation, fever, respiratory symptoms and allergic reactions. Exposure can kill animals.
Residents and cottagers who use lake water as a drinking source should not consume water that has exceeded algae limits, even if a treatment system is being used. Most small treatment systems can't remove algae toxins, the province warns, and boiling or chlorination won't make algae-affected water safe to drink.
The province said E. coli were within recreational limits at most Manitoba beaches ahead of the August long weekend.
According to the province's beach water quality map, E. coli samples taken at five beaches — Gimli, West Grand, Sandy Bar, St. Malo and Winnipeg beaches — earlier this week exceed the safe recreational limit for the bacteria.
The province's beach update said advisory signs remain at Victoria, Lester, East Grand and Patricia beaches, as E. coli levels surpassed limits on July 22 but quickly dropped back to acceptable levels two days later.
When high levels of E. coli are present in water, swimmers may develop ear, eye, nose or throat infections. The bacteria may also cause mild fever, vomiting, diarrhea and stomach cramps.
Swimmers should avoid swallowing lake water, the government warned, and avoid swimming if they are ill or have an open wound.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CTV News
25 minutes ago
- CTV News
Retired Manitoba dentist reprimanded for sexual relationship with patient
A retired dentist who admitted he had an inappropriate sexual relationship with a patient has been ordered to pay a $30,000 fine. Gary Levine, a former member of the Manitoba Dental Association (MDA) who retired in 2024, pleaded guilty to professional misconduct charges before an MDA inquiry panel in April. According to a summary of the panel's decision, a former patient of Levine complained to the association alleging the dentist had been involved in an inappropriate sexual relationship with her. The panel found Levine's conduct was 'clearly and demonstrably' in breach of the MDA's code of ethics when he pursued and engaged in sexual relations with a 'financially vulnerable' patient and provided dental services for free to further the relationship. 'His conduct constituted sexual harassment of the patient,' the summary wrote. The panel heard the patient met Levine in 2005 when she brought her son in for dental correction. The summary said Levine proposed a payment plan for the woman and her two sons to get braces after he found out she was a single mother. The summary said the woman became a regular patient of Levine's for five years and received additional dental work from him in subsequent years. 'Shortly after the patient's first appointment, Dr. Levine began engaging in flirtatious behaviour with the patient, which progressed to sexual encounters and intercourse between Dr. Levine and the patient, both at Dr. Levine's home and at his clinic,' the summary said. The panel heard Dr. Levine stopped charging the patient fees for dental services after their sexual relationship started. 'Carrying on a sexual relationship at the clinic and the subsequent waiver of fees was deemed entirely unacceptable,' the summary stated. The summary said Levine had no disciplinary history with the MDA prior to the complaint and noted the dentist was cooperative during the inquiry process. Levine was reprimanded by the panel and must pay $30,000 to the MDA for the investigation and hearing. He is also ineligible to seek registration with the MDA for six months. The summary noted if Levine seeks registration following that period, he must have a chaperone present for any interaction involving a female patient. Levine would also be required to complete an educational course on maintaining professional boundaries with patients.
CBC
26 minutes ago
- CBC
N.S. child admitted to the IWK with measles
A child from northern Nova Scotia has been admitted to the IWK Health Centre with measles. This marks the first hospitalization connected to the cluster of cases in that part of the province. Public Health says 44 people are now infected with measles in the area. The measles began to spread after someone travelled to another part of Canada with a known outbreak. Public Health previously told CBC that those who are infected are largely unvaccinated. It won't say where the people live, only that they're in a small "limited" community and the risk of spread to the wider public is low. It says the family of the child called the IWK in advance and arrangements were made to ensure no one else was exposed to the contagious virus when they were admitted to the Halifax hospital. Public Health is asking anyone else who suspects they may be infected to do the same, and call their health-care provider in advance of seeking treatment. The child's condition is stable, Public Health says. They did not reveal the child's age. Earlier in the week, Dr. Cristin Muecke, the regional medical officer of health for the northern zone, said some people may not realize they've been infected initially, because the telltale measles spots can take a few days to appear. She's continuing to urge people to make sure they're vaccinated to prevent further spread. It's assumed that anyone born before 1970 was exposed to the virus and has immunity. Those born between 1970 and 1996 need to get booster shots, as they were likely only given one dose when they were younger. Two shots are required for full immunity. Children 12 months old and up can get their first shots on the typical vaccine schedule in Nova Scotia, although those as young as six months can get their first dose if they'll be travelling to known areas with cases.
CBC
26 minutes ago
- CBC
Hundreds of seniors refusing offer to move out of hospitals, Holt says
A 30-day measure to free up beds in some New Brunswick hospitals does not appear to be working, as seniors reluctant to leave their home communities opt not to jump the waitist for long-term care placement.
