A CONCERNED mother has this week urged parents in Fermanagh to be vigilant after her young daughter developed a severe rash following a swim at a Kesh beauty spot this summer.

Heather Finnerty, who lives in County Kildare, but is originally from Fermanagh, told the Impartial Reporter that the rash, which was “extremely itchy and very uncomfortable”, appeared on 10-year-old Hannah after she went for a swim in Muckross Bay in August.

Several weeks after this incident, on September 7, Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) Water Quality staff, based at Castle Archdale, contacted Fermanagh and Omagh District Council’s Environmental Health Service (EHS), confirming that “harmful” blue-green algae had been found at Muckross.

Signs were erected advising that swallowing the water could cause stomach upsets or severe illness to people and death to animals.

The Council also warned that contact with the water or the blue-green algae could cause rashes and skin problems.

A spokesperson for the Council confirmed yesterday (Wednesday) that Muckross was still affected by the algae, albeit in lower numbers.

“The signage will remain in place until samples indicate it is no longer a public health issue,” the spokesperson added.

Speaking to the Impartial Reporter, Mrs Finnerty said that the rash on her daughter had disappeared after around 10 days.

“Thankfully it has healed with no long-term damage to her skin hopefully,” she said.

The mother-of-three said she had taken her children to Muckross Bay during a trip home to see her parents. Although she was familiar with the beauty spot from her younger days, this was the first time she had brought her family there.

Hannah, who wasn't wearing a wetsuit, was the only one to go in for a swim.

Mrs Finnerty admitted they had been “unaware” of the exact cause of her daughter's rash, but said she was prompted to contact this newspaper after reading about the warning signs that had been erected by the Council at Muckross.

“People need to be more vigilant. I absolutely welcome the signs,” she added.

The Council's Environmental Health Service (EHS) said this week that it was “not aware” of any complaints in August regarding people swimming in Muckross and developing a rash.

A Council spokesperson said this had been the first instance of blue-green algae at Muckross notified to the EHS this year, before adding that the algae had occurred there in previous years.

“The EHS is not aware of the cause of the algae, however it is not uncommon for the algae to increase in numbers where weather conditions are favourable for its growth,” the spokesperson added.

Meanwhile, the Council have confirmed that the EHS were notified by Water Quality staff of blue-green algae at Lough Accrussel, Fermanagh in August.

“Lough Accrussel also remains affected by the algae and signs will remain in place until advised by Water Quality staff that the algae is no longer a public health issue,” the spokesperson added.