2 dead, 40 hospitalized over red tide poisoning

TACLOBAN CITY, Philippines – Health authorities have confirmed the deaths of two residents of Biliran island and hospitalization of 40 others due to suspected red tide poisoning.

Boyd Cerro, chief of the Department of Health (DOH) regional epidemiology and surveillance unit, said the victims are an 81-year-old woman and 13-year-old boy, residents of Barangays Cabucgayan and Kawayan, respectively.

Cerro said 30 of those hospitalized are residents of Maripipi town.

He said the victims suffered stomach pain, diarrhea and vomiting after eating tahong or mussels reportedly harvested from areas found positive for the algae that produces red tide toxin.

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) said shellfish gathered in the waters of Biliran and nearby Maqueda, Villareal and Carigara Bays remain positive for paralytic shellfish poison that is beyond the regulatory limit.

Juan Albaladejo, BFAR regional director, said a family of seven on Sierra island in Catbalogan City were also hospitalized after eating pen shell locally known as sarad gathered from the waters of Leyte, which remain positive for red tide toxin.

The DOH urged concerned local government units to assist in the information drive and enforcement of the shellfish ban.

All types of shellfish gathered in areas found positive for red tide toxin are not safe for human consumption. BFAR said fish, squid, shrimp and crab are safe to eat provided they are fresh and washed thoroughly and internal organs are removed before cooking.