Blue-green algae in the Neckar: District warns against swimming in the river

Because blue-green algae have been detected in the Neckar, people in the Rhine-Neckar district should no longer bathe in the river. “You should never swim in the Neckar anyway, but it is currently particularly dangerous due to the blue-green algae that has been detected,” the district said in a statement. According to the information, the toxic cyanobacteria were detected in a water sample from Heidelberg. According to the district, people who come into contact with skin or accidentally swallow contaminated water can experience skin irritation, nausea and difficulty breathing, among other things. Small children are particularly at risk, it said. But the water can also be dangerous for pets. Dog owners, for example, should not let their four-legged friends bathe in the water or drink from the river.