Public warned not to eat shellfish
By Celeste Ganga
08 April 2008
The Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism has received the results of tests that were carried out on samples that were taken over the weekend at Melkbosstrand on the West Coast. According to Maryke Brand of Marine and Coastal Management on the West Coast, low levels of toxins of paralytic shellfish poisoning was detected in abalone which is a concern for the Department.
“The Department therefore continues to recommend that the public don’t collect or eat any shellfish- especially mussels, oysters and abalone- north of Cape Point until further notice,” says Brand.
She explains that the first symptoms of this type of poisoning are tingling, stinging or burning sensations of the lips, tongue and fingertips within 30 minutes of eating poisonous shellfish. “Numbness of the arms, legs and neck follows. If these symptoms are experienced a doctor should be consulted immediately”.
The Department will continue to monitor the situation and will inform the public once no more levels of toxins are detected.
08 April 2008
The Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism has received the results of tests that were carried out on samples that were taken over the weekend at Melkbosstrand on the West Coast. According to Maryke Brand of Marine and Coastal Management on the West Coast, low levels of toxins of paralytic shellfish poisoning was detected in abalone which is a concern for the Department.
“The Department therefore continues to recommend that the public don’t collect or eat any shellfish- especially mussels, oysters and abalone- north of Cape Point until further notice,” says Brand.
She explains that the first symptoms of this type of poisoning are tingling, stinging or burning sensations of the lips, tongue and fingertips within 30 minutes of eating poisonous shellfish. “Numbness of the arms, legs and neck follows. If these symptoms are experienced a doctor should be consulted immediately”.
The Department will continue to monitor the situation and will inform the public once no more levels of toxins are detected.
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