As per reports, it has been revealed that duck hunters have been warned to avoid two lakes, Lake Ellesmere near Christchurch and Lake Rotorua near Kaikoura. The Canterbury District Health Board said that the announcement has been made due to the spread of toxic algae in the lakes.

Both the lakes will be open by Saturday, but the district officials were of the view that the lakes are full of blue-green algae, known as planktonic cyanobacteria. It would be better that the people should avoid visiting the lakes.

Ramon Pink, who is the medical officer of health, was of the view that people should not visit those two lakes, until they do not announce about ban lift. Duck hunters have been especially warned as ducks might be consuming those algae, and it will be harmful for people to consume the affected algae.

However, they can have ducks if they take out their guts at the time of cooking. Pink said that the algae concentration has made the lakes inactive for recreational activities.

"The people should avoid contact with these lakes until the health warnings have been lifted, as there is increased probability of respiratory, irritation and allergy symptoms", said Pink. It has also been said that people should not swim in the lakes.