Traces of GBS found in raw fish samples: MOH

NEA advises licensed food stall holders to temporary stop the sales of raw fish dishes using Song fish, also known as Asian Bighead Carp and Toman fish, also known as Snakehead fish, as a precautionary measure.
Channel NewsAsia 24 Jul 15;

SINGAPORE: Some samples of raw fish were tested and found to have traces of the Group B Streptococcus (GBS) bacteria, the Ministry of Health (MOH), National Environment Agency (NEA) and Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA) said in a joint news release on Friday (Jul 24).

This comes after MOH launched an investigation into the link between GBS and raw fish after it saw an increase in GBS cases.

From Jan 1 to Jun 30, authorities received reports of 238 GBS cases from public hospitals. This is up from an average of 150 cases per year in the past four years. More than half the cases were over the age of 55, similar to previous years.

Authorities earlier said there is no proven link between eating raw fish and serious GBS disease in healthy humans, but interim analysis of MOH's investigation on a limited number of identified cases found an association between the consumption of raw fish and GBS infections. More cases will need to be studied for a more definite conclusion, authorities noted.

NEA has advised licensed food stall holders to temporarily stop the sales of raw fish dishes using Song fish, also known as Asian Bighead Carp, and Toman fish, also known as Snakehead fish, as a precautionary measure. Stall holders will also be reminded to adhere to high standards of personal hygiene and adopt proper food handling practices to prevent cross contamination and bacterial growth, the agencies stated.

Earlier, MOH had asked all hospitals to submit their case listings of patients with GBS infections for this year as part of its investigation. Doctors in the private sector were also asked to report new cases of GBS infection to MOH as well, to assist in its probe.

Authorities added that GBS is a common bacterium found in the human gut and urinary tract of about 15 to 30 per cent of adults without causing disease. However, it may occasionally cause infection of the skin, joints, heart and brain. GBS can be found in fish, but it does not pose an issue if the fish is well-cooked before consumption, MOH said.

Some GBS patients told Channel NewsAsia after consuming yusheng, their joints swelled to the point where they required surgery.

While investigations are ongoing, vulnerable groups of people - especially young children, pregnant women or the elderly, or people with chronic illness such as diabetes - should exercise caution by avoiding raw ready-to-eat food, authorities said.

- CNA/dl

Eateries to halt sales of two types of raw fish containing GBS
REGINA MARIE LEE Today Online 24 Jul 15;

SINGAPORE — The authorities will be asking eateries to suspend the sale of raw-fish dishes that use Song fish and Toman fish as a precautionary measure after tests on samples of these species found traces of Group B Streptococcus (GBS) bacteria.

A message that was widely circulated last Monday claimed that there has been a surge in the number of GBS infection cases in Singapore. And today (July 24), the authorities confirmed that the number of such cases in public hospitals from January to last month is nearly 60 per cent higher than the full-year average for the past four years.

A limited number of these patients, who typically suffer from fever and pain in the joints, had consumed the Song and Toman fish raw, said the joint statement from the Ministry of Health, the National Environment Agency, and the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority.

But the authorities stressed again that there is “no proven link between eating raw fish and serious GBS disease in humans to date”, adding that while the bacteria can be found in fish, cooking it well before eating it does not pose issues.

The authorities also said they would need to study more cases for a more definite conclusion on the link between the consumption of raw fish and GBS infections.

There were 238 cases of GBS infection in public hospitals in the first half of this year, compared with the average of 150 cases per year from 2011 to 2014. As in previous years, more than half of the cases involved patients over the age of 55.

The joint statement said GBS is a common bacterium found in the human gut and the urinary tract of about 15 to 30 per cent of adults, without causing disease.

“However, GBS may occasionally cause infections of the skin, joints, heart and brain. The risk factors for GBS infection include underlying chronic or co-morbid conditions, such as diabetes,” it added.

While the authorities are temporarily halting the sale of Song and Toman, which are also known as the Asian Bighead Carp and Snakehead respectively, they also advised vulnerable groups of people, especially young children, pregnant women and the elderly, as well as those with chronic illness such as diabetes, to avoid raw ready-to-eat food such as raw oysters and sashimi.

Meanwhile, businesses told TODAY that customers have been staying away from raw fish, resulting in a 30 to 80 per cent drop in their sales of yusheng, a raw fish dish typically sold with porridge in hawker centres throughout the year.

Mr Kiang Chong Tong, 68, who runs Soon Heng Pork and Fish Porridge at Amoy Street Food Centre, said customers were ordering porridge without the fish. “We used to sell about 20 to 30 bowls a day, but that number has fallen by half,” he said.

“It’s not just raw fish,” said Mr Teo Ah Buo, 52, a sales assistant at Ah Chiang’s Porridge. “People are scared of even cooked fish now.”

Its average daily sale of 100 yusheng dishes has plunged to 20.

But some diners are not averse to eating raw fish. Ms Maria Lee, 21, said she would continue to eat sashimi because she did not think she had a high chance of becoming infected.


Stallholders told to stop serving raw fish for now
Kok Xing Hui The Straits Times AsiaOne 25 Jul 15;

Foodstall holders have been asked, for now, not to sell dishes containing two types of raw fish found to have traces of the Group B Streptococcus (GBS) bacteria.

The two types of fish are: Song fish, also known as Asian Bighead Carp; and Toman fish, also known as Snakehead fish.

The Ministry of Health (MOH) said it has found a link between the consumption of raw fish and GBS infection in a "limited number" of cases. But more cases will have to be studied before a definite conclusion is made, it added.

If the fish is well-cooked, GBS will not pose a problem, said a joint statement by MOH, the National Environment Agency (NEA) and the Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA) last night.

Public hospitals have reported 238 cases of GBS infection in the first half of the year, up from an average of 150 cases in the last four years.

GBS bacterial infection 'unusual' for healthy adults: Doctors
Click on thumbnail to view. Story continues after photos.
(Photos: ST, TNP, Shutterstock)

GBS is a common bacterium found in the gut and urinary tract of 15 to 30 per cent of adults without causing disease. However, it may occasionally cause infections of the skin, joints, heart and brain.

Those with chronic or multiple conditions are at a higher risk of getting GBS infections.

There has been no previous proven link between eating raw fish and serious GBS disease in humans, added the joint statement.

Last Monday, MOH said it was investigating the link between GBS and the consumption of raw fish with the NEA and the AVA. This was in response to WhatsApp messages warning of a bacteria outbreak from eating contaminated raw fish.

Yesterday, the authorities again urged vulnerable groups - young children, pregnant women, the elderly and people with chronic illnesses - to avoid eating raw food such as oysters or sashimi while investigations are ongoing.

GBS bacteria found in two types of fish: What you need to know about them
Jalelah Abu Baker The Straits Times AsiaOne 28 Jul 15;

SINGAPORE - Foodstall holders have been asked to temporarily stop selling raw fish dishes using two types of fish which have been found with traces of Group B Streptococcus (GBS) bacteria.

The two types of fish are: Song fish, also known as Asian Bighead Carp; and Toman fish, also known as Snakehead fish.

The Ministry of Health (MOH) also found a link between the consumption of raw fish and GBS infections in some cases it investigated.

From Jan 1 to June 30 this year, MOH received reports of 238 cases of GBS infections from public hospitals - compared with an average of 150 cases per year in the past four years. More than half the cases were over the age of 55, similar to previous years.

GBS is a common bacterium found in the human gut and urinary tract of about 15 per cent to 30 per cent of adults without causing disease. However, GBS may occasionally cause infections of the skin, joints, heart and brain, said MOH.

The bacteria can also be found in fish, but this does not pose an issue if the fish is well cooked before consumption. Here are some facts about the two types of fish in the spotlight.

GBS bacterial infection 'unusual' for healthy adults: Doctors
Click on thumbnail to view. Story continues after photos.
(Photos: ST, TNP, Shutterstock, Wikimedia/Dezidor)

Song fish, also known as Asian bighead carp

How much does it cost?

In Hokkien, it is known as "songhe". It costs about $6 per kilo, according to Mr Khor Chin Puang, who owns fresh fish wholesaler Pan's Fish and has been in the fish retail business for eight years.

How popular is it?

While it is cheap, demand from consumers is "almost non-existent", and it is usually hawker stalls and restaurants that buy this type of fish. Mr Khor said that several shops in Chinatown sell steamed Song fish in black bean sauce. It is also used in raw fish porridge.

Why is it eaten?

Dr Tan Heok Hui, a fish expert from the department of biological sciences in National University of Singapore (NUS) said that the Song fish is highly esteemed for its head region, used in steamed dishes. There is a section of fish fats and oils below the cranium which is "highly delectable", he said.

Where is it from?

The Song fish is originally from riverine and lacustrine waters in northern Indochina and southern China, Dr Tan said. It has been imported usually as young fishes to be cultivated or to be grown out in mud ponds for aquaculture and for food fish purpose. The Song fish is a filter feeder, feeding mainly on suspended plankton.

Toman fish, also known as Snakehead fish

How much does it cost?

In Hokkien, it is known as "loyhe". It costs about $24 per kilo, according to Mr Khor.

How popular is it?

It is highly esteemed for its firm white flesh, Dr Tan said. It is used for tonic food, San Lao hor fun and steam boat. The fish is now often available as chilled or frozen fillets.

Why is it eaten?

Mr Khor said that the Chinese believe that the fish has medicinal properties. It is usually given to people who have undergone surgery or just given birth.

Where is it from?

It is originally from the South-east Asia region, found in rivers and lakes. It is a highly territorial and predatory species feeding on smaller fish and other organisms. It is usually cultivated as a cage fish or in mud ponds, and imported as fillet for the food market.

Yusheng sales plunge on bacteria warning
Alert is for Song and Toman fish, but hawkers using other types of fish report poor business
Melissa Lin Straits Times 31 Jul 15;

Sales of yusheng, a raw fish dish, have taken a hit after news broke that two types of fish were found to have traces of a bacterium that can cause infections of the skin, joints, heart and brain.

Hawkers told The Straits Times that consumers are spooked and are avoiding the dish even if it is made from other types of fish with no links to the Group B Streptococcus (GBS) bacterium.

The National Environment Agency (NEA) has asked more than 70 raw fish porridge stalls to temporarily stop selling raw fish dishes made from Song fish, also known as Asian Bighead Carp, and Toman fish, also known as Snakehead.

The yusheng sold at hawker centres consists of thinly sliced strips of raw fish mixed in sesame oil and topped with ginger and chilli.

Maxwell Food Centre's Zhen Zhen Porridge, famed for its Song-fish yusheng, has stopped selling it for now. This, coupled with renovation near the food centre, has caused business to fall by 20 per cent, said owner Kiang Joon Chin, 60. About half of the 40kg to 50kg of Song fish he used to order daily were sold as yusheng. He has cut his supply to about 20kg and sells the fish fully cooked in porridge.

The Ministry of Health (MOH) said in a statement last Friday that it had found a link between the consumption of raw fish and GBS infection in a "limited number" of cases. It is carrying out further studies before reaching a definite conclusion.

Public hospitals have seen 238 cases of GBS infection in the first half of the year, up from an average of 150 cases in the last four years.

GBS is a common bacterium found in the gut and urinary tract of about 15 to 30 per cent of adults without causing disease. But it may occasionally cause infections of the skin, joints, heart and brain.

GBS does not pose a problem if the fish is well-cooked, said the joint statement by MOH, NEA and the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA).

Yusheng lovers can still get their fix at Amoy Street Food Centre's Soon Heng Pork & Fish Porridge and Tiong Bahru Market and Food Centre's Hwa Yuen Porridge stalls.

Both use the ikan parang - also known as wolf herring - which is pricier than the Song fish.

At Soon Heng, the smallest serving of raw fish costs $5, compared to $3 for the Song fish version.

Hwa Yuen's second-generation owner Clement Yip, who is in his 60s, said: "We used to sell more than 100 servings a day. Now, not even 50. Nobody dares to eat raw fish now."

Soon Heng's owner, Mr Kiang Choon Tong, 68, used to sell more than 50 plates of raw ikan parang daily but that has fallen to 10.

"We're more particular about hygiene now," he said. "I make sure the fish is cleaned properly and the container holding it is closed tightly before it goes into the freezer."

Other stalls are dropping the dish totally. Mr Teo Kiang Yong, 56, who owns Rong Teochew Fish Porridge at Amoy Street Food Centre, will not sell yusheng again. "It's too much trouble," he said. "I'd rather not take any chances."

Fishmonger Ang Yeow Leng, 60, said demand for the Song fish and Toman fish from consumers at wet markets is generally low as the fish are usually bought by hawkers for yusheng dishes. The fish also often have a bitter taste, he added.

Supermarket chain FairPrice, which carries both fish sourced from the Jurong Fishery Port, has not seen any major impact on sales.

"We are working closely with our suppliers and AVA to ensure high standards of food safety are maintained," said Mr Victor Chai, director of fresh and frozen products at FairPrice's purchasing and merchandising department.

Businessman Vincent Low, 53, who used to eat yusheng weekly, has stopped doing so temporarily, saying: "It's better to be safe than sorry."

The authorities have urged vulnerable groups - young children, pregnant women, the elderly and people with chronic illnesses - to avoid raw fish for now.