The coastal waters of Gigantes Island in Carles, Iloilo remain positive for red tide, according to the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).
Based on Shellfish Bulletin No. 24 issued by BFAR, all kinds of shellfish collected and tested from Gigantes Island “are still positive for Paralytic Shellfish Poison (PSP) or toxic red tide” and “are not safe for human consumption.”
“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.”
Other red tide-affected areas in Western Visayas are Ivisan, Sapian, Pilar, President Roxas, and Roxas City in Capiz; and Batan in Aklan.
Symptoms of PSP, according to BFAR’s Fisheries Resources Management Division, include headache, dizziness and nausea. In severe cases, people who consumed the toxins may experience muscular paralysis and respiratory difficulty within five to 12 hours.
These usually take place within 30 minutes. Reactions include tingling, first in the lips and tongue, spreading to the face, neck, fingertips and toes.IMT
