The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) warned against eating shellfish from Irong-Irong Bay in Western Samar, which is now positive for the red-tide toxin.
BFAR said the red tide warning was based on the latest laboratory results of the agency and the local government unit of Western Samar.
“All types of shellfish and Acetes species or alamang gathered from Irong-Irong Bay are not safe for human consumption,” the bulletin read.
“Fish, squids, shrimps, 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,” it added.
All other areas and coastal waters remain free from red tide, said the attached agency of the Department of Agriculture.
Eating shellfish products with red tide can cause paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP), an illness which can cause death. Early symptoms of PSP include tingling of the lips and tongue, which may begin within minutes of eating poisonous shellfish or may take an hour or two to develop.
Depending upon the amount of toxin a person has ingested, symptoms may progress to tingling of fingers and toes and then loss of control of arms and legs, followed by difficulty in breathing.
If a person consumes enough poison, the muscles of the chest and abdomen become paralyzed. Death can result in as little as two hours, as muscles used for breathing become paralyzed.
In its latest bulletin, Bfar noted that the coastal waters of Cavite, Las Piñas, Parañaque; Navotas, Bulacan and Bataan in Manila Bay; and the coastal waters of Alaminos and Bani in Pangasinan.
Also free from red tide are Masinloc Bay in Zambales; coastal waters of Milagros and Mandaon in Masbate; Honda and Puerto Bays in Puerto Princesa City, and Inner Malampaya Sound in Taytay, Palawan; coastal waters of Pilar, President Roxas, Pontevedra, Panay, Roxas Vity, Ivisan and Sapian Bay in Capiz; coastal waters of E.B. Magalona, Pontevedra, Pulupandan, Valladolid, Talisay City, Silay City, Bacolod City, Hinigaran, Cadiz City, Victorias City, Bago City, and San Enrique in Negros Occidental.
Other coastal areas free from red tide are the coastal waters of Dauis in Bohol; Daram Island in Daram, Maqueda, Villareal and Cambatutay Bays in Western Samar; Matarinao Bay in Eastern Smaar; ZSan Pedro, Carigara Bay, Cancabato Bay and coastal waters of Leyte in Leyte; Naval, Biliran Island Province; Dumanquillas Bay in Zamboanga del Sur; Tantanang Bay in Zamboanga Sibugay; Murcielagos Bay in Zamboanga del Norte and Misamis Occidental; Hinatuan, Bislig, and Lianga Bays in Surigao del Sur; Balite Bay in Mati, Davao Oriental; and Taguines Lagoon in Benohi Mahinog, Camiguin Island.
