Malaysia: Sabah issues red tide warning

The Star 26 Mar 12;

KOTA KINABALU: A Red Tide warning has been issued for the west coast of Sabah.

Sabah Fisheries Department director Rayner Stuel Galid said the Red Tide Monitoring Programme conducted by his department and the State Health Department showed the presence of Paralytic Shell Fish Poisoning (PSP) toxins in clam samples from the sea.

He said they found higher levels of PSP toxins in clam samples obtained from Kuala Penyu and areas off Kota Kinabalu City, Sipitang and Tuaran.

Galid urged the people to stop consuming any type of shellfish orbivalves, including oysters, mussels and cockles, due to the red tide which was an occasional phenomenon caused by a sea-based micro-organism.

“There is also a high possibility that other places close to the Red Tide declared area will be affected by the phenomenon in the near future,” he added.

Galid said eating toxic shellfish could cause poisoning and those affected should seek medical treatment immediately.

People eating red tide contaminated shellfish could experience eye and respiratory irritations, like coughing, sneezing, tearing and itching, and in more severe cases, paralysis and even death.