Authorities are urging people to avoid swimming in the lakes of several popular eastern Victorian tourist towns on the eve of the school holidays after a toxic algae outbreak.
Victoria's Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) has warned people to avoid contact with water at Lake King and Lake Victoria, which are two of the largest lakes in the Gippsland region.
This will affect the popular tourist towns of Metung, Paynesville, Eagle Point, Newlands Arm, and Wattle Point a week before an expected Easter influx.
The department says the toxic blue-green algae bloom can cause allergic reactions such as skin rashes or itchiness, sore eyes, ears and nose or, if swallowed, gastroenteritis, nausea or vomiting.
Community concerns
DELWP spokeswoman Melissa Johnston says they have been door-knocking in the main towns affected, and have signage along the waterways to warn residents and visitors of the dangers.
"We are obviously worried about the safety of the community, and making sure they are aware of the current situation and to avoid contact with water," she said.
Boating and fishing is still allowed, but those catching fish in these two lakes are being urged to gill and gut all their catch.
"But they obviously need to avoid any contact with water and if it does touch them the advice is to wash down with fresh water and if they have any irritation to seek medical advice," she said.
The Department of Health already has an advisory in place warning people not to eat shellfish such as mussels, crabs or prawns from anywhere in the Gippsland Lakes.
The type of algae affecting the Gippsland Lakes is called Nodularia spumigena, and DELWP says it produces nodularin toxin that can concentrate in shellfish and crustaceans and accumulate in the liver and internal organs of fish.
Ingesting these toxins by drinking affected water or consuming affected seafood can lead to serious illness.
Warning for dog owners
Ms Johnston said the algae can be particularly toxic to dogs, and urged people to keep their pets away from the affected Lakes.
"Dogs should not come into contact with the water at all in Lake King and Lake Victoria," she said.
"Algae can cause severe illness in dogs and may result in death from the toxin."
