Warning as red tide strikes again
Roy Goh, New Straits Times 10 Sep 09;
KOTA KINABALU: People in Sabah are advised not to eat or sell shellfish as the red tide has struck again.
For the second time this year high levels of paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) toxins were found in samples collected from the sea and the market.
The shellfish include sea oysters, mussels, cockles and all types of bivalves, particularly those collected from the west coast. The last warning was issued in January.
Fisheries Department director Rayner Stuel Galid said yesterday samples taken from Sepangar had shown nearly 100 times over the minimal danger level.
Red tide is caused by a population explosion of microscopic plankton of a subgroup known as dinoflagellates.
It is a coastal phenomena caused by environmental conditions which promote rapid growth -- such as warm surface temperatures, high nutrient content and calm seas.
Sabah recorded its first PSP attack caused by the red tide phenomena in 1976 with 202 cases, including seven deaths.
Early symptoms includes tingling of lips and tongue within minutes of consumption or sometimes up to an hour. It may progress to a sensation of "prickling of pins and needles" of the skin and loss of control of the arms and legs.
"Death can occur within two hours, depending on the amount consumed, because the toxins can cause the muscles of the chest and abdomen to become paralysed," Rayner said and warned there is no medication available for PSP.
He said marine life such as prawns, crabs, lobsters, coral fishes, predatory fishes such as sharks, stingrays, barracuda, mackarel, jacks and others are safe to eat.
"As a prudent measure however consumers are advised to discard the guts and gills."
