Red tide warning up

source: manila bulletin

MANILA, Philippines – Officials warned the public Tuesday not to gather and eat shellfish from five provinces after they were tested positive for red tide toxin.


In an advisory sent to the Department of Health (DoH), the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) warned that shellfish from Dumanquillas Bay in Zamboanga del Sur; Murcielagos Bay in Zamboanga del Norte; Misamis Occidental; the coastal waters of Anda and Bolinao in Pangasinan; and Masinloc Bay in Zambales “are still positive for paralytic shellfish poison that is beyond the regulatory limit.”

“All types of shellfish or alamang gathered from these areas are not safe for human consumption. Fish, squids, shrimps, and crabs are safe for human consumption provided that they are fresh and washed thoroughly, and internal organs such as gills, fins, and intestines are removed before cooking.”

The DoH listed the following as symptoms of red tide poisoning: headache, facial numbness, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, breathing difficulty, abdominal cramps, and weakness or paralysis of one or more extremities.

Ingesting contaminated shellfish leads to vomiting and abdominal pain, sometimes with loose bowel movement. This should be accompanied by two sensory and motor abnormalities, said Dr. Eric Tayag, National Epidemiology Center (NEC) director.

There is no antidote to paralytic shellfish poisoning, Tayag said. Therefore, it is imperative for a person who has consumed contaminated shellfish to consult a doctor immediately.

Based on the results of red tide monitoring activities by the BFAR at the Masinloc Bay last Monday, Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP) toxin level in shellfish samples collected from the area is 80-1,200 µgSTXeq/100g (microgram saxitoxin equivalent per 100 grams) of shellfish meat.

source: manila bulletin