CONSUMERS have been warned not to eat shellfish from Cork Harbour because a poison from a harmful algae bloom has contaminated them. The producers have agreed not to supply any further shellfish for sale until the problem has been resolved.
The Southern Health Board, which issued the warning to the public last night, said Paralytic Shellfish Poison had been detected in shellfish harvested in Cork Harbour.
The statement said there have been documented cases in Ireland, regular outbreaks in Europe and 1,600 cases annually worldwide with 300 resulting deaths.
But marine toxin authority Dr Kevin James said that while a PSP like toxin might have been he did not believe the specific PSP toxins had been the first documented case in country. He said deaths from the toxin occurred in Third World countries where there was no regular monitoring.
Dr James, who is also a member of the Government's biotoxin advisory body, said the board's statement, in which it referred to deaths, was extremely emotive.
Monitoring has picked up the outbreaks in Europe and as a result people do not die from the results of this toxin. It is disgraceful to refer to figures for Third World countries that do not have "monitoring".
While testing for this syndrome is carried out only twice or three times a year in Ireland, Dr James has been monitoring the major shellfish areas on the south west coast for some years as part of a Department of the Marine research project. PSP had not been detected in these areas up to last week, he said.
The health board has asked restaurateurs and fishmongers not to offer shellfish harvested from Cork Harbour for sale and has warned the public not to collect shellfish from this area.
The statement said such poisoning was a serious condition with symptoms occurring typically within three hours of eating the affected shellfish. Initially tingling of the mouth and throat occurs followed by progressive muscular weakness and breathing difficulties. The sufferer is acutely unwell." Anyone with such, symptoms should seek immediate medical attention, the board advised.