Authorities in Eastern Visayas have once again warned residents against eating shellfish from areas where red tide is prevalent.
This, after at least 31 residents in the island town of Daram, Samar reportedly fell ill after eating red tide-infected shellfish last September 25.
A total of 20 victims were rushed to the Samar Provincial Hospital in Catbalogan City while 11 were treated at the rural health unit for minor symptoms.
Preliminary investigation showed that the residents, including eight children, consumed green mussels harvested from the coastal waters of Zumarraga, Samar, one of the bodies of water positive for toxic red tide.
The patients experienced symptoms including headache, body numbness, extremity numbness, dizziness, vomiting, and abdominal pain, said Jelyn Lopez-Malibago, DOH Eastern Visayas regional information officer.
"Further investigation is currently underway. For now, we encourage everyone to heed and adhere to the advisories issued by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR)," Malibago added.
In Samar province, BFAR has raised a shellfish ban in coastal waters of Daram Island; coastal waters of Zumarraga Island; Cambatutay Bay in Tarangnan town; Irong-Irong Bay in Catbalogan; and Maqueda Bay in Jiabong, Motiong, Paranas, San Sebastian, Calbiga, Pinabacdao, and Hinabangan towns.
Other areas with confirmed red tide presence are Matarinao Bay in General MacArthur, Quinapondan, Hernani, and Salcedo in Eastern Samar; and Carigara Bay in Babatngon, San Miguel, Barugo, Carigara, and Capoocan towns in Leyte province.
The ban prohibits the gathering, harvesting, trading, and consumption of all types of shellfish.
Fish, squids, shrimp, and crabs are safe for human consumption provided that they are fresh and washed thoroughly, and internal organs such as gills and intestines are removed before cooking.
(With report from PNA/OpinYon News Team)
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