It was following "canine mortality" at the end of August that the State services in particular carried out analyzes confirming the presence of a cyanobacterium on the banks and in the water column of the Lez River.
The consumption of fish caught in Montpellier and in surrounding municipalities is prohibited after the discovery of a cyanobacterium responsible for the death of a dog, announced the prefecture of Hérault on Saturday.
It was following "a canine mortality" at the end of August that the State services in particular carried out analyzes confirming the presence of flocs (gelatinous clusters) of the cyanobacterium Phormidium on the banks and in the water column of the Lez river. .
"Cyanobacteria, naturally present in surface water, are generally harmless, however still poorly understood external conditions can generate local phenomena of proliferation and release in large quantities of toxins, some of which have neurotoxic or hepatotoxic effects", specifies the prefecture in a press release.
The prefecture also recommends "avoid ingesting water" and "not swimming"
A prefectural decree consequently prohibits the consumption of fish caught in the Lez at Castelnau le Lez, Lattes, Montferrier sur Lez, Montpellier, Prades le Lez and Saint Clément de Rivière.
The prefecture lists precautionary instructions: "avoid ingesting water, not swimming or playing near stagnant water with clumps of moss or algae, not playing with sticks or pebbles that have been immersed or put them in the mouth, do not bring the dogs to the edge of the banks ".
She invites consultation in the event of the following symptoms appearing after frequenting the banks of the Lez: tremors, fever, abdominal or muscle pain, nausea, eye / ear irritation, skin rash.
In dogs, the symptoms are nervous (convulsion, profuse salivation, balance disorders) sometimes alone or associated with digestive disorders (diarrhea, vomiting).