Members of the public are being urged to comply with warning signs highlighting the dangers of blue-green algae at Fife’s inland waterways.
Blue-green algae, also known as cyanobacteria, are minute bacteria which occur naturally in lochs, ponds, reservoirs, rivers and the sea.
However, they can make people ill and kill pets and farm animals.
Pets have taken ill after coming into contact with the bacteria at Cameron Reservoir in St Andrews and Kinghorn Loch among others.
NHS Fife has warned that the people coming into contact with the toxic scum which is usually found at the water’s edge or shoreline could develop skin rashes, eye irritations, vomiting and diarrhoea, fever and/or pains in muscles and joints.
The fact that dogs and livestock have died in the last few years means farmers and pet owners are also being advised to keep a close eye on their animals.
Scottish Water regularly monitors for the blue-green algae species and always takes a precautionary approach to ensure drinking water remains safe.
Photo used under Creative Commons licence courtesy of Flickr user Maria Keays.
