Jamaica Pond shut to fishing, boating and dogs as toxic bacterial bloom returns

The Boston Public Health Commission said today it's put Jamaica Pond off limits to people and pets due to what has become an annual explosion of toxic blue-green algae.

If you, your child, or your dog comes in contact with the water or an algae bloom, rinse off immediately.

The current suspected bloom in Jamaica Pond appears like a dull green discoloration that could be confused as otherwise safe pond water. Blue-green algae blooms can produce toxins that may make people and pets sick. Toxins may be present within the algae cells or in the water.

For humans, the primary concern is ingestion of water containing blue-green algae while swimming. Direct skin contact with the blue-green algae and inhalation of water droplets containing blue-green algae or toxins is a secondary concern. For dogs, the primary concern is the ingestion of water containing blue-green algae or scum that has washed ashore or gotten onto their skin or fur.

Jamaica Pond now experiences at least one of the cyanobacteria blooms a year, although in recent years they've been more of a spring or summer event.

The commission says it and the state Department of Public Health will be monitoring the pond closely over the coming weeks and will lift the ban after "two consecutive weekly samples show algal cell counts below the safe limit of 70,000 cells/milliliter of water."