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Blue-green algae found in water samples tested from Lake Scugog

Whitby, Ontario - Durham Region Health Department has been advised by the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks that a water sample collected on July 15 from Lake Scugog, near Platten Island, indicates the presence of blue-green algae in the area.

In the summer months, as weather conditions vary, there may be more occurrences of blue-green algae throughout Lake Scugog and other bodies of surface water in Durham Region. While there is currently no evidence of blue-green algae...

Durham Region Health Department weekly beach report

Whitby, Ontario - The following represents beach-posting information for Durham Region beaches. Test results for the week of July 8 indicate that two public beaches are posted as unsafe for swimming. Beaches are posted as unsafe for swimming when elevated levels of E. coli exceed the provincial standard of 200 E. coli per 100 ml of water.

The Health Department reminds the public not to swim in beach water for at least 48 hours after heavy rainfall, as bacteria levels can increase due to run-off.

Durham Region Health Department weekly beach report

Whitby, Ontario - The following represents beach-posting information for Durham Region beaches. Test results for the week of July 2 indicate that one public beach is posted as unsafe for swimming. Beaches are posted as unsafe for swimming when elevated levels of E. coli exceed the provincial standard of 200 E. coli per 100 ml of water.

The Health Department reminds the public not to swim in beach water for at least 48 hours after heavy rainfall, as bacteria levels can increase due to run-off.

Test...

Mosquitoes test positive for West Nile virus in Durham Region

Whitby, Ontario - Durham Region Health Department has received notification that adult mosquitoes in Oshawa have tested positive for West Nile virus (WNV). This is the first mosquito batch in Durham Region to test positive for WNV this season.

The positive batch of mosquitoes was collected from one of the Health Department’s mosquito trap sites located in Oshawa. Every week between June and September, the Health Department sets mosquito traps across the region and submits mosquitoes for...

Durham Region Health Department weekly beach report

Whitby, Ontario - The following represents beach-posting information for Durham Region beaches. Test results for the week of June 24 indicate that two public beaches are posted as unsafe for swimming. Beaches are posted as unsafe for swimming when elevated levels of E. coli exceed the provincial standard of 200 E. coli per 100 ml of water.

The Health Department reminds the public not to swim in beach water for at least 48 hours after heavy rainfall, as bacteria levels can increase due to run-off.