Low levels of toxic algae have been discovered in Salem’s drinking water, prompting officials to issue an advisory that parents should not give tap water to children under 6 years old.
Health officials warned pregnant women, nursing mothers and children under the age of 6 to not drink or cook with tap water.
Three toxic algae blooms discovered in Detroit Lake led to the detection of high concentrations of the liver toxin microcystin and cylindrospermopsin on May 25.
Four days later, the city issued an alert warning of the unsafe drinking water.
If they develop these symptoms, they should let their health care provider know, but, she warned, there are no tests available to screen for exposure and no specific treatment.
"Out of an abundance of caution, we are exercising precautions and only using bottled or filtered water for our patients and families."
Berman said nursing mothers who ingest the toxin could pass it to their infants through their breast milk.
Berman said the toxins might also have an impact on developing fetuses.
10-day exposure period City officials said they wanted to be proactive by warning people within the 10-day exposure window.
Still, he warned, people at risk should not be cavalier about the warning.