The BFAR or Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, recently released a bulletin that warns against several coastal areas in Visayas and Mindanao that have been afflicted by red tide.
They add that seafood from the following areas should not be harvested, bought, sold, or consumed:
- Daram Island, Western Samar
- Irong-Irong, Western Samar
- Cambatutay, Western Samar
- Maqueda, Western Samar
- Villareal, Western Samar
- Matarinao Bay, Eastern Samar
- Carigara Bay, Leyte
- Biliran Province
- Gigantes, Iloilo
- Dauis, Bohol
- Tagbilaran City, Bohol
- Balite Bay, Davao Oriental
They add that while in some rare cases, red tide can be harmless, they're usually dangerous as the algae that causes the red tide can be very toxic for humans.
Shellfish are especially prone to red tide since shellfish can consume the toxic microorganisms in the water. Other seafood such as fish, squids, shrimps, and crabs are relatively safe for human consumption so long as the internal organs such as gills and the intestines are removed.
What do parents need to know about red tide?
Red tide can affect a lot of seafood, shellfish in particular. That's why it's best to avoid eating shellfish from places wherein there's a red tide warning.
Parents also need to make sure that they only purchase seafood from people that they trust, since in some cases, some unscrupulous vendors sell seafood even with a red tide warning.
As a necessary precaution, it's also equally important to know the various symptoms of red tide poisoning. Here are some of those symptoms:
- Numbing of the face and the mouth.
- Vomiting.
- Nausea.
- Headaches.
- Feelings of numbness or pins and needles in the hands and legs.
- Weakness.
- High pulse rate.
- Difficulty speaking.
- Difficulty swallowing.
The initial symptoms can typically be seen within 30 minutes. In severe cases, death can happen within 12 hours of consuming contaminated shellfish.
In cases of red tide poisoning, it's generally recommended to make the person vomit so that the contaminated shellfish can be taken out. You should also immediately take the person to the hospital for proper treatment.
Source: cnnphilippines.com, news.abs-cbn.com, bfar.da.gov.ph
READ: Toxic fish caught by dad kills his 3 kids – how to protect your child from accidental poisoning
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