PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — The Rhode Island Departments of Health and Environmental Management are recommending avoiding contact with three ponds in Roger Williams Park and one in Portsmouth due to blue-green algae blooms.
The three ponds in Roger Williams Park are Polo, Elm, and Cunliff Lakes, while Upper Melville Pond in Portsmouth is also closed.
RIDOH said that skin contact with blue-green algae can irritate the skin, nose, eyes, and throat, while ingesting the algae can cause stomachache, diarrhea, vomiting, and nausea, as well as dizziness, headache, fever, liver damage, and nervous system damage.
Animals suffering from blue-green algae poisoning can suffer symptoms including loss of energy, loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, or any unexplained sickness.
Any person or pet who comes in contact with the contaminated water should wash off their skin with clean water as soon as possible, and then bathe and wash their clothes.
If a person or pet is experiencing symptoms a healthcare provider should be contacted.
More information on blue-green algae can be found here.