The City of Cape Town’s environmental health department has warned Capetonians and visitors to avoid contact with the Wildevoelvlei in the Noordhoek Valley because of elevated toxin levels due to algae.
Mayoral committee member for area south, Suzette Little, warned the public to avoid all contact with the water at the vlei and in the outlet channel leading to the sea, and discharging on a section of Noordhoek Beach.
“Dog-walkers should ensure that their pets remain on a leash and prevent them from drinking the water,” she said.
The City said the algal population at the wetland, situated south of central Cape Town, increased dramatically during the warm summer months.
Ms Little also warned that the harvesting, sale and consumption of shellfish from the rocky outcrops near the outlet to the sea (Klein Slangkop on Noordhoek Beach) is not advised, because it is unfit for human consumption. Exposure to the algae can cause eye irritation, skin rashes, mouth ulcers, vomiting, diarrhoea, and cold- or flu-like symptoms.
