The current shellfish toxin warning for the Bay of Plenty is being extended eastwards along the Bay of Plenty coastline.
A map of the extended coastline.
The affected area now includes the entire coastline from Tairua on the Coromandel Peninsula, south to Waihi Beach, east along the Bay of Plenty coastline to Whakatane, Ohope and Opotiki and further along to, and including, Whangaparaoa near Cape Runaway in the Eastern Bay of Plenty.
It also includes all harbours, estuaries and islands along this coastline.
Medical Officer of Health Dr Neil de Wet says on-going monitoring has shown high levels of paralytic shellfish poison present in shellfish along this coastline.
'Shellfish in the affected area should not be taken or eaten.”
He says the health warning applies to all bi-valve shellfish including mussels, pipi, tuatua, cockles, oysters, scallops as well as cat's eyes, snails and kina (sea urchin).
Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning is caused by natural toxins that are produced by algal blooms and accumulate in shellfish that feed on the algae.
Neil says shellfish containing toxic levels of paralytic shellfish poison do not look or taste any different from shellfish that are safe to eat.
'Cooking or freezing the shellfish does not remove the toxin. Paua, crayfish and crabs can still be taken but as always, the gut should be removed before cooking or eating.
'Eating shellfish affected by paralytic shellfish toxin can cause numbness and tingling around the mouth, face, hands and feet; difficulty swallowing or breathing; dizziness; double vision; and in severe cases, paralysis and respiratory failure.” He says these symptoms can start as soon as one-two hours after eating toxic shellfish and usually within 12 hours.
'Anyone suffering illness after eating shellfish should seek urgent medical attention.
'Monitoring of toxin levels will continue along the coast and any changes in advice will be communicated accordingly.”
The public can obtain up-to-date information on the toxic shellfish health warning through these channels:
Phone: 0800 221 555, option 1
Website: www.ttophs.govt.nz/health_warnings
Twitter: www.twitter.com/ttophs
Email alerts for subscribers: www.ttophs.govt.nz/alert
1 comment
No Pipi Fritters
Posted on 09-11-2013 08:02 | By peecee09
This toxic plague is tragic. Years ago it didn't exist, so where has it come from. Was it imported into our environment from Europe or some other part of the world in the ballast water of ships entering our Port? I think so. More stringent monitoring is required by Port of Tga to stop these invaders wrecking our environment.I believe the ball is firmly in the Port's court and they must act before it's too late to the point where it will be too dangerous to even swim in the sea! Firmly police the dumping of ballast water by vessels, and checking ship's hulls should be a normal part of the Port's operations. For the sake of all of us and those who follow please act NOW before it is too late.
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