A large amount of blue-green algae has been observed on the Immalanliette beach.

There has been a lot of blue-green algae on the Immalanliette beach.

Avoid swimming during periods of heavy blue-green algae blooms. Even a small amount of exposure can cause symptoms in sensitive people. If you swim, shower after swimming. Keep children and pets out of the water during heavy exposures as it can be dangerous to get blue-green algae-rich water into your mouth.

Blue-green algae can produce toxic or irritating substances in the water and more than half of blue-green algae are toxic. The susceptibility of people to develop symptoms varies greatly. Water containing blue-green algae can cause allergic skin symptoms, stomach problems, runny nose, or general symptoms such as fever and headache in swimmers.

The situation can change very quickly

The amount of blue-green algae varies very quickly, e.g. due to wind direction or rain. Since there is no constant supervision on the beaches, every swimmer should always check the quality of the swimming water before going for a swim. Adults should monitor where children swim and prevent children from swimming in water containing blue-green algae.

Blue-green algae identification instructions can be seen at every public beach in the Imatra region.

Signs of a blue-green algae bloom

• a greenish deposit on the surface of the water or on the shore, resembling latex paint or thick pea soup
• a smaller amount can be seen as greenish particles in the water and greenish streaks on the beach
• older deposits turn greenish gray and sometimes bright turquoise blue
• earthy, moldy and/or musty smell

Reporting blue-green algae sightings

Blue-green algae sightings at public beaches can be reported Ilppa notification service via, by email (health controlimatra.fi (health control[at]imatra[dot]fi)) or by phone (tel. 020 617 4323)

Beach administrators monitor the blue-green algae situation during maintenance visits. The Imatra Region Environmental Service monitors the situation based on information received from beach users and beach administrators. If you have noticed blue-green algae on a public beach, please let us know!

If you notice blue-green algae elsewhere than on a public beach, you can report your sighting nationally detection transmitter through. The service also works on a smartphone.

You can monitor the cyanobacteria situation in Finnish waters From the Järviwiki online service.

For more information:

for public beaches: health controlimatra.fi (health control[at]imatra[dot]fi)

for water bodies in general: environmental protectionimatra.fi (environmental protection[at]imatra[dot]fi)