Ghent (The Brussels Morning Newspaper): Authorities in Ghent warn against swimming in prohibited areas like Keizerpark and Houtdok due to harmful blue-green algae. Fines may be enforced as risks to health increase prompting stricter rules for safety.
Recently the police and the city of Ghent said that some people have been swimming in Keizerpark and Houtdok which aren’t allowed swimming areas. Even though no fines or official reports have been made yet the authorities are now hinting that they might start enforcing the rules more strictly. Starting from 13th August there is a higher chance of getting fines or being reported for swimming in these areas where it’s not allowed. The city and police are working harder to stop this and people caught swimming in these prohibited spots may face penalties as the rules get stricter.
What are the health risks associated with swimming in areas affected by blue-green algae?Â
Swimming in areas where it’s not allowed can be very dangerous because of harmful blue-green algae also called cyanobacteria. Recently these algae were found in Houtdok which is a warning about the risks. Environmentalist said that these algae can make toxins that are bad for your health. If you come into contact with or swallow contaminated water you might experience symptoms like headaches, skin rashes and stomach problems like nausea and vomiting. Breathing in water droplets with these toxins can lead to breathing problems. The city wants to stress the importance of following swimming rules not just to avoid fines but to keep yourself safe from these harmful algae blooms. It’s important to stay updated on water safety warnings and to avoid swimming in places where blue-green algae are found.
what precautions should be taken in Ghent regarding swimming safety?
In Ghent the acting mayor Filip Watteeuw is worried about people jumping from bridges into the water because they don’t know what’s underneath the surface. Although there haven’t been any accidents reported yet Watteeuw is stressing the importance of safety. Swimming is only allowed in the Blaarmeersen recreation area which is the official swimming spot in Ghent.They mentioned that if people don’t live in Ghent they need to make a reservation to use this area. This rule helps control the number of visitors and keeps things safe and organized.
