Toxic algae, bacteria warnings hit Ohio beaches. Here's where

Key Points:

• More than 20 Ohio beaches have health advisories due to harmful algal blooms and elevated bacteria levels, with four beaches at Grand Lake St. Marys under red-flag warnings advising people to avoid all water contact.
• The Ohio Department of Health uses a color-coded system for beach advisories: yellow flags indicate unsafe bacteria levels and caution, while red flags signal harmful algal toxins at dangerous levels requiring complete avoidance of water.
• Harmful algal blooms produce toxins that can cause illness in people and pets through swimming, drinking, or exposure to contaminated water, with symptoms including gastroenteritis, skin rashes, and infections.
• The Ohio Environmental Council urges faster action to reduce phosphorus runoff and pollution at the source, noting that while programs like H2Ohio have helped reduce bloom size, these outbreaks remain a predictable and ongoing issue.
• The CDC recommends preventive measures such as using fertilizers responsibly, maintaining septic systems, reducing runoff, and avoiding contact with discolored or foul-smelling water to help prevent harmful algal blooms.