Health Warning - Paralytic Shellfish Toxin

Thursday 19 April 2007

Health Warning - Paralytic Shellfish Toxin

A health warning has been issued to stop people gathering shellfish from Maketu Estuary to Whakatane River Mouth inclusive, due to high levels of Paralytic shellfish poison caused by PSP toxin.

People are advised not to collect or eat shellfish and not to eat kina or the gut of paua, crayfish and crabs taken from the area, until further notice.

The health warning affects all bi-valve shellfish such as mussels, toheroa, pipi, tuatua, cockles, oysters, scallops, as well as catseyes or pupu and kina (sea urchin). Paua, crayfish and crabs can still be taken, but as always the gut should be removed before cooking.

“Routine shellfish sampling in this area has shown higher than normal levels of Paralytic shellfish poison to be present,” says Toi Te Ora - Public Health, Medical Officer of Health, Dr Phil Shoemack. “People should NOT eat the gut and skirt of scallops, even when these shellfish come from sites where there are no biotoxin warning signs in place.”

Symptoms of PSP include numbness and tingling around the mouth, face or extremities; difficulty swallowing or breathing; dizziness; double vision; and in severe cases, paralysis and respiratory failure. These symptoms occur within 12 hours of a person consuming affected shellfish.

Anyone suffering illness after eating shellfish should contact their doctor.

New Zealand Food Safety Authority is responsible for monitoring both shellfish and water for toxins in shellfish throughout New Zealand. Toi Te Ora - Public Health will update the public when results from the sampling confirm changes to the affected area.

Information about health warnings will be posted on www.nzfsa.govt.nz

ENDS

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