The Department of Health (DOH) Eastern Visayas has reminded the public to be cautious when eating sea products particularly those collected from the coastal waters in the region affected by red tide toxin.
DOH regional director Minerva Molon issued a reminder after knowing that a child in Carigara, Leyte die due to red tide toxin and 20 other cases have complained signs of paralytic poison.
In a press conference held recently at DOH regional office 8, Molon reminded the people to take precaution when eating sea products especially shellfishes coming from identified coastal waters which are positive for Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP) that is beyond regulatory limit.
Since October this year, the Bureau of Fisheries and Acquatic Resources (BFAR) alerted the people to refrain from eating shellfishes collected along the waters of Villareal bay, Daram Island, Irong-Irong Bay, Maqueda bay and Cambatutay bay, all in Samar; Carigara Bay in Leyte, Naval waters in Biliran and Leyte, Leyte.
But based on Tuesday’s laboratory results of the water samples collected along the waters of Calubian, Leyte it revealed that it is now positive with red tide toxin.
Thus, all types of shellfish and acetes sp. or alamang gathered from said areas are not safe for human consumption.
However, other areas continue to be free from red tide toxin such as Cancabato bay in Tacloban, San Pedro bay, Babatngon waters, Ormoc bay, Sogod bay and Matarinao bay in Eastern Samar.(ajc/PIA-8)