Many algae blooms are caused by blue-green algae. These can produce toxins that are toxic to both humans and animals. Toxic algae are unpredictable and can remain in the water for a month, but they can also quickly disappear if there is a lot of wind.

Can you swim anyway?

Askersund municipality writes on its website that it is possible to swim in water with algal blooms. For adults, it is not a direct danger, but you can suffer from skin irritations or other problems such as pain in the ears, throat and headaches.

However, children should be supervised and bathing avoided when there is a lot of algal blooms. You should also not let children sit or play on the shore where a lot of algae has accumulated.

Dogs are sensitive

The municipality also writes on its website that you should keep your dog under surveillance. Dogs should not bathe in or drink from the water where algae blooms are taking place because they are very sensitive to algae toxins.