Today (23/05) Nelson Marlborough Public Health Service advised that shellfish from Queen Charlotte Sound and Tory Channel are still dangerous to eat.
This extends the ban on gathering shellfish from these areas due to the toxin Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning.
Medical Officer of Health Dr Ed Kiddle said, “While the phytoplankton species responsible for the toxin has decreased, toxin levels in shellfish remained high.
“This means that we need to wait until the shellfish expel the toxins from their system before we can reopen these areas for shellfish gathering.”
He said it was difficult to predict how long the shellfish would take to purge themselves of the toxins.
Further testing would be carried out to determine when shellfish could be collected from these areas.
He stressed that shellfish were still dangerous to eat from the Queen Charlotte Sound and Tory Channel.
This means that eating even small amounts of shellfish could cause severe illness.
The areas affected remain all of inner Queen Charlotte Sound from a line drawn between Cape Jackson across to Cape Koamaru, Tory Channel out to East Head and West head (see map below).
Symptoms of Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning are numbness and tingling around the mouth, face or extremities; difficulty swallowing or breathing; dizziness; double vision. In severe cases, paralysis and respiratory failure can occur.
“Acute symptoms of PSP usually occur within 12 hours of eating shellfish”.
Dr Kiddle advised people not to eat kina, mussels, pipi, tuatua, oysters, cockles and scallops harvested from affected areas since March 25, 2011.
“Paua, crab, and crayfish may still be eaten if the gut was completely removed prior to cooking. If the gut was not removed its contents could contaminate the meat during the cooking process,” he said.
“Cooking affected shellfish does not remove the toxin.” Fish, such as snapper, cod, gurnard, and terakihi are not affected by the toxin and are still safe to eat.
Monitoring of the situation is ongoing, and in the meantime people should not take or consume shellfish from these areas.
People who want more information about the safety of shellfish in their possession should contact the On Call Health Protection Officer on (03) 520 9999 Blenheim or (03) 546 1800 Nelson. People who become ill after eating shellfish should seek medical attention.
DO NOT CONSUME SHELLFISH FROM THE AREAS OUTLINED ON THE MAP
These Areas Are Affected By Shellfish Biotoxins.
Shellfish Consumed From These Areas May Be Harmful To Health.
Crayfish, Paua and Finfish may be gathered and consumed if the Gut is Removed.
For Further Information Contact:
Nelson Marlborough Public Health Service, (03) 520 9914 Blenheim (03) 546 1537 Nelson (Work Hours) Or After Hours – The On-Call Health Protection Officer,(03) 520 9999 Blenheim Or (03) 546 1800 Nelson
DATE OF NOTICE: 25 March 2011 – still in force as of 23 May 2011