(HealthDay News) – Algae blooms include algae and cyanobacteria colonies that tend to form in rivers, lakes and ocean waters during warmer weather.

In some cases they are just eyesores, but in others, they can produce toxins that are harmful to people and animals, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says.

The CDC says you can protect yourself and your pets by checking for posted beach and lake warnings. You should avoid entering bodies of water that:

• Smell bad.
• Look discolored.
• Have scum or thick layers of algae on the surface.
• Contain dead fish or other dead wildlife.

Source: HealthDay

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