Warning over contaminated loch

Blue-green algae has been discovered in Loch Gil Speireig Mhor near Achmore, Lewis.

Contact with the algal scum should be avoided said Comhairle nan Eilean Siar.

The council said some blue-green algae may give rise to adverse medical effects – but not always.

Effects on people coming into contact with toxic scums include skin rashes, eye irritations, vomiting and diarrhoea, fever and pains in muscles and joints. Toxic algae have caused deaths of livestock and dogs.

Precautionary warning over contaminated loch

19 November 2014