Photo: James Rojas/WBZ NewsRadio
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — Jamaica Pond in Jamaica Plain is closed for a possible toxic algae bloom. The Boston Public Health Commission said Monday that a bloom was likely based on what they saw in the pond, which was a "dull green discoloration."
The pond is closed for all recreational activities, which includes swimming, boating and fishing. Dogs are also not allowed to swim in or drink the water.
The Commission is urging the public to avoid any contact with the water at all, and says the biggest concern is people accidentally drinking the algae-tainted water while swimming.
Blue-green algae, or cyanobacteria, can cause vomiting and diarrhea. The toxins the organisms produce can also cause even more serious symptoms, like liver, kidney and brain damage, or death, depending on the weight of the person or animal and the quantity consumed.
The BPHC said there was no timeline on when the pond would reopen, because algae blooms can persist for weeks, or quickly vanish.
Jamaica Pond was closed for a similar algae bloom last August.
WBZ's James Rojas (@JamesRojasNews) has more:
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