The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) on Friday cautioned the public from consuming all types of shellfish and 'alamang' harvested from six specific areas due to the presence of paralytic shellfish poison or "toxic red tide."
In an advisory dated March 15, the BFAR together with the Department of Health (DOH) said all types of shellfish (mussels, oysters, clams, etc.) and alamang (Acetes sp.) gathered from the following areas are not safe for cosumption:
- Coastal waters of Milagros in Masbate
- Coastal waters of Dauis and Tagbilaran City of Bohol
- Dumanquillas Bay in Zamboanga del Sur
- San Pedro Bay in Samar
- Matarinao Bay in Eastern Samar
- Coastal Waters of San Benito in Surigao del Norte.
BFAR, however, said that fish, squids, shrimps, and crabs are safe for eating provided that they are fresh and washed thoroughly, and internal organs such as gills and intestines are removed before cooking.
The Department of Health (DOH), meanwhile, warned that signs and symptoms of paralytic shellfish poisoning have a rapid onset and can be felt within 12 hours after eating unsafe shellfish.
DOH Secretary Teodoro Herbosa also emphasized the importance of swift action in cases of symptoms after consuming contaminated shellfish, urging individuals to seek immediate medical attention at the nearest emergency room.
“Prevention is the best: do not eat tahong, talaba, halaan, other shellfish, and alamang from areas identified with toxic red tide," he said.
Herbosa also urged the public to always read advisories from DA-BFAR and the DOH.
Moreover, he directed all hospitals to "prepare for these cases and to report them accordingly."
The symptoms of paralytic shellfish poisoning, as per DOH, can emerge within 12 hours of ingestion, encompassing numbness, dizziness, weakness, and gastrointestinal discomfort.
Other symptoms may include numbness around the mouth or face, pricking sensations, difficulty in speech or swallowing, and headaches, DOH said.
