The beach along Hamilton’s Beach Boulevard has been closed after the toxin-producing blue-green algae was found in the water.
Hamilton Public Health Services confirmed the presence of the algae, which can give off a bad odour as it dies and decays.
It says warning signs will be posted at the beach and the closure will remain in effect until the blue-green algae subsides.
“Hamilton Public Health Services will continue to monitor, gather water samples, and provide updates at hamilton.ca/beaches,” reads a statement from the city Tuesday.
READ MORE: Large blue-green algae blooms plague waters in Hamilton, Burlington
The city is urging members of the public to avoid contact with the water along the shoreline of Beach Boulevard beach. Those who do must wash themselves with clean water as soon as possible.
Adverse health effects are mainly caused by drinking water that is contaminated with blue-green algae toxins. Officials say people who ingest or come into contact with visible blue-green algae may experience skin irritation, rash, sore throat, sore red eyes, swollen lips, fever, nausea and vomiting and/or diarrhea.
Anyone who has recently been in the water at Beach Boulevard beach and is experiencing headaches, fever, diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea or vomiting is advised to contact their primary care provider.
The city says the blue-green algae at the beach will not affect the safety of Hamilton’s drinking water.
READ MORE: Blue-green algae closes Hamilton’s Pier 4 Park beach