The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) today issued a
public health warning advising the public not to collect or
consume shellfish harvested from Pegasus Bay from Waimairi
Beach in the north to Adderley Head in the south and all of
Whakaraupō-Lyttelton Harbour.
Routine tests on
shellfish samples taken have shown levels of Diarrhetic
Shellfish Poisoning (DSP) toxins above the safe limit of
0.16 mg/kg set by MPI. Anyone eating shellfish from this
area is potentially at risk of illness.
Ongoing
testing will continue, and any changes will be communicated
accordingly.
Mussels, oysters, tuatua, pipi, toheroa,
cockles, scallops, catseyes, kina (sea urchin) and all other
bivalve shellfish should not be eaten.
Note, cooking
shellfish does NOT remove the toxin.
Pāua, crab and
crayfish may still be eaten if the gut has been completely
removed prior to cooking, as toxins accumulate in the gut.
If the gut is not removed its contents could contaminate the
meat during the cooking process.
Symptoms typically
appear within half an hour of ingestion and last for about
24 hours. Symptoms may include:
· Diarrhoea
·
Vomiting
· Nausea
· Abdominal cramps
If
anyone becomes ill after eating shellfish from an area where
a public health warning has been issued phone Healthline for
advice on 0800 61 11 16 or seek medical attention
immediately. You are also advised to contact the National
Public Health Service on 03 364 1777 and keep any leftover
shellfish in case it can be tested.
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Monitoring of
toxin levels will continue and any changes will be
communicated accordingly.
Find out more:
· Shellfish
biotoxin alert webpage
· Subscribe
to shellfish biotoxins to receive email
alerts
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