Anyone who bathes in the Berlin lakes should be careful because of flukes in the water. Their tiny larvae, the so-called cercariae, appear increasingly on banks with many plants and birds, as the State Office for Health and Social Affairs (Lageso) announced on Thursday.

They can therefore cause skin inflammation. It was said that cercaria could spoil the bathing pleasure somewhat despite the “excellent” water quality.

It is recommended: avoid banks with many aquatic plants, children in particular should not stand in shallow water any longer, take off wet swimwear, use waterproof sunscreen, rub off vigorously after bathing.

If you have severe symptoms, you should go to the doctor, and cases should be reported to the health department.

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In previous years there were indications of cercaria in the following bodies of water: Schlachtensee, Krumme Lanke, Jungfernheideteich, Großer and Kleiner Müggelsee, Halensee, Unterhavel (Große Steinlanke), Großer Wannsee.

Cercaria can cause red patches, itching, and wheals.

Basically, when it comes to the Lageso, the self-cleaning ability of the local waters is very high. “Even long, hot summers and a lot of people bathing do not necessarily have a negative effect on Berlin’s bathing waters.” Anyone who wants to find out more before swimming can find a map of Berlin bathing spots on the authorities’ website: everyone there was green on Thursday.