Earth Watch Report
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| 19.11.2012 | Biological Hazard | New Zealand | Northland, [Manukau Harbour ] |  |
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Biological Hazard in New Zealand on Monday, 19 November, 2012 at 06:08 (06:08 AM) UTC.
| Description | |
| A public health warning to people collecting shellfish along Auckland’s coastline has been extended. On Saturday, the Auckland Regional Public Health Service said routine shellfish toxin testing from the Manukau Harbour showed high levels of Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning, which could cause paralysis or respiratory failure in extreme cases. The expanded area now incorporates shellfish collected from Mohakatino (Taranaki) north to Maunganui Bluff (north of Dargaville), as well as the Manukau and Kaipara Harbours. Shellfish including kina, mussels, toheroa, pipis, tuatua, oysters, cockles and scallops taken from the affected areas should not be eaten and officials stressed cooking them would not remove the poison. Paua, crayfish and crabs can still be taken, however the gut should be removed before cooking. It is safe to eat the flesh of fish, but not the guts of fish that feed on algae or shellfish. Symptoms of the poisoning usually occur within 12 hours after eating shellfish containing the toxins and can include numbness and tingling around the mouth, face or extremities, difficulty swallowing or breathing, dizziness and double vision or worse. Shellfish and seawater samples would continue to be tested regularly by the Ministry for Primary Industries. | |
| Biohazard name: | Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP) |
| Biohazard level: | 0/4 — |
| Biohazard desc.: | This does not included biological hazard category. |
| Symptoms: | |
| Status: | confirmed |
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Toxic shellfish warning for west coast
The public are being warned not to collect or eat any shellfish from a large stretch of the North Island’s west coast found to have high levels of toxins.
The affected area extends from Mohakatino (located in Taranaki) north to Maunganui Bluff (just north of Dargaville), including the Manukau and Kaipara Harbours.
“Ongoing monitoring has shown high levels of Paralytic Shellfish Poison (PSP) present in shellfish along this coastline. People should take note of the areas that contain high levels of PSP and avoid collecting shellfish in these areas,” Auckland medical officer of health, Dr Simon Baker, said.
Dr Clair Mills, Northland DHB medical officer of health, said anyone eating toxic shellfish is potentially at risk of illness.
“Cooking shellfish does not remove the toxin,” she said.
People are being advised to avoid kina, mussels, pipis, tuatua, toheroa, oysters, cockles and scallops in the affected areas. Paua, crayfish and crabs can still be taken, however the gut should be removed before cooking.
Symptoms of PSP poisoning usually come about around 12 hours after eating affected shellfish.
These include numbness and tingling around the mouth and face, dizziness and difficulties with swallowing or breathing.
In severe cases, PSP can cause paralysis and respiratory failure.
Related articles
- Toxic shellfish in Auckland waters (stuff.co.nz)
- Toxic shellfish warning for parts of North Island (radionz.co.nz)
- Warning over toxic shellfish (stuff.co.nz)
- Toxin warning on North Island shellfish (nzherald.co.nz)
- Toxic shellfish warning for Northland coast (nzherald.co.nz)
- Shellfish toxin warning for Kaipara Harbour (radionz.co.nz)
- Toxic shellfish warning for west coast (nzherald.co.nz)
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