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Swimming in Armenia’s Lake Sevan affected by algae bloom is extremely dangerous for people’s health, member of Green Future environmental NGO Vahagn Varagyan states.

The green color of the lake means that the amount of cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae, has increased too much in the water basin. These bacteria can cause a number of serious health effects, including gastrointestinal, skin, respiratory, as well as neurological symptoms, he explains.

“Swimming in waters affected by them may cause skin rash, itching, burning sensation, etc. Acute abdominal pain, nasal congestion, itchy eyes, and even shortness of breath may occur. These also cause various chronic diseases,” Varagyan said on Facebook.

“Due to the overgrowth of cyanobacteria in the summer season (this is why Sevan has turned green), the pH of the water becomes more basic, thus creating favorable conditions for the development of poliovirus and cholera bacteria, which may cause a new epidemic,” he stressed.

The expert also warned against easting fish caught from affected waters, which may also cause health problems.

“Swimming in green Sevan is extremely dangerous for your health. Not a single specialist will claim the opposite,” he added.