Public health officials are advising against swimming or wading near the shoreline and in shallow areas of the west end of Hamilton Harbour, especially if there's green surface scum or green discoloration.

An advisory issued Wednesday included cautions against eating fish caught in the area and letting children or pets come into contact with or drink the water.

Toxins produced by the blue-green algae have been detected at the western shore of Bayfront Park and at the nearby boat launch, they said. Bayfront Beach has been closed to swimming as a precaution.

Some of the algae has the potential to produce skin rashes and itching. Exposure to its toxins can also cause headaches, fever, diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting.

Anyone recently in contact with the water and experiencing any of these symptoms is advised to see their doctor.

Health officials emphasized, however, that Hamilton's drinking water is not affected.

In Haldimand, meanwhile, water use restrictions are in place after algae blooms in Lake Erie raised concerns about the drinking water and led the county to temporarily shut down its treatment plant in Nanticoke.

Don Boyle, the county's chief administrative officer, said the plant was shut down Tuesday as a precaution because a Lake Erie algae bloom in northwest Ohio earlier this summer resulted in a tap water ban in Toledo due to the bloom's toxicity.

Water restrictions have been issued for the towns of Jarvis, Townsend and Hagersville and the industrial park in Nanticoke.

Residents and the industries were advised to reduce water usage in order to extend the existing supply of treated drinking water, Boyle said.

The restriction prohibits residents from using county water for lawns and gardens, car washing, filling swimming and wading pools, hot tubs, garden ponds or fountains, and recreational sprinklers for children and splash pads.

Large industrial water users like U.S. Steel have already reduced consumption, Boyle said.

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However, water test results in Haldimand late Tuesday showed no problem with the algae or lake water, he added. The restrictions will remain in effect for about a week to allow the county to restore water treatment and replenish two reservoirs, Boyle said.

A National Geographic online news article published earlier this month said scientists attribute Lake Erie's toxic algae bloom near northwest Ohio in part to climate change.