BRIDGEPORT — A toxic algae bloom near here in Rufus Woods Lake has prompted officials to post warnings against swimming, water skiing and other in-water activities.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and state Department of Health officials issued warnings Friday after tests found water samples from the lake containing 73 times the accepted levels set by the state. The state guideline for the toxin is one microgram of the toxin per liter in recreational waterways, and the lake measured 73 micrograms.

The bloom of anatoxin-a, a nerve toxin made by some blue-green algae, can sicken humans and be lethal to animals if ingested in high concentrations. The blooms occur naturally in warm-weather months.

Officials said it’s safe to eat cleaned and properly gutted fish from the lake. But the water should not be consumed and steps should be taken to keep livestock and pets away from the water. Boaters are advised to to avoid areas — mostly eddies and pockets of slow-moving water — where they see the algae blooms.

Samples from the lake will be taken weekly until toxin levels drop below the state’s accepted levels, a Corps press release said.