Red tide warning up anew

The Department of Health (DOH) cautioned the public yesterday against eating shellfish as toxic red tide organisms have once again been detected in Manila Bay.

Dr. Eric Tayag, chief of the DOH-Infectious Disease Control Service, said eating shellfish may lead to red tide poisoning, which is common from May to August.

"These are the months when toxic organisms usually breed," Tayag said. "There is still no ban on Manila, but we are urging the public to take caution in eating shellfish products during these months."

Results of monitoring by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) showed the presence of the red tide organism "pyrodinium bahamense" in portions of Manila Bay in Bataan, Cavite and Navotas.

Densities of toxic red tide organisms in the water and shellfish gathered from these areas, however, remained within the tolerable level.

A red tide shellfish ban is imposed when the organism density is 500 cells per liter of sea water, and when the red tide toxin level is 40 micrograms per 100 grams of shellfish meat.

The BFAR has already imposed a ban in Balite Bay, Davao Oriental as shellfish harvested there revealed a toxicity level of 46 micrograms per 100 grams of shellfish meat.

According to the DOH, a person who consumes red tide toxin beyond the tolerable limit may suffer numbness, nausea, vomiting, headaches and other symptoms of poisoning.

Tayag advised victims to immediately seek medical treatment upon noticing symptoms.

"Red tide poisoning can be fatal if not treated at the soonest possible time," he said.