Hawke's Bay warning issued over potentially deadly shellfish toxin

MPI has issued a shellfish warning in Hawke's Bay.

The Ministry for Primary Industries has issued another "May Day" public health warning against collecting shellfish in the Hawke's Bay region, after potentially deadly paralytic shellfish toxins were discovered.

A statement from MPI said "levels of concern" were detected and warned people not to eat shellfish sourced from Kidnappers to the north end of Māhanga Beach near Māhia.

"Routine tests on shellfish samples taken from sites in this region have shown levels of Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP) toxins above the safe limit of 0.8 mg/kg set by MPI. Anyone eating shellfish from this area is potentially at risk of illness."

Mussels, oysters, tuatua, pipi, toheroa, cockles, scallops, catseyes, kina (sea urchin) and all other bivalve shellfish should not be eaten, even if cooked.

Pāua, crab and crayfish may still be eaten if the gut has been completely removed prior to cooking, as toxins accumulate in the gut. If the gut is not removed its contents could contaminate the meat during the cooking process.

Symptoms of poisoning typically appear between 10 minutes and 3 hours after ingestion and may include: numbness and a tingling (prickly feeling) around the mouth, face, and hands and feet, difficulty swallowing or breathing, dizziness, headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, paralysis and respiratory failure and, in severe cases, death.

Anyone falling ill is advised to phone Healthline for advice on 0800 61 11 16, or seek medical attention immediately.

" You are also advised to contact your nearest public health unit and keep any leftover shellfish in case it can be tested.

"Monitoring of toxin levels will continue and any changes will be communicated accordingly. Commercially harvested shellfish – sold in shops and supermarkets, or exported – is subject to strict water and flesh monitoring programmes by MPI to ensure they are safe to eat."

The ministry issued a similar warning two years ago, again in May, after detecting unsafe toxin levels around the area between the Mohaka River mouth down to the southern end of Waimarama Beach.