Oysters and mussels are unsafe

The fisheries ministry has warned the public not to eat oysters and mussels from the Walvis Bay Aquaculture Production Area 1, as it is currently unsafe.

According to the ministry, oyster and mussel samples from the Walvis Bay Aquaculture Production Area 1 are regularly tested for biotoxins by the Namibian Standards Institution as part of the National Shellfish Sanitation Programme.

The latest test results indicated the presence of Diarrhoeic Shellfish Poisoning (DSP) at a level higher than is permissible.

Therefore, it is unsafe to consume these shellfish products until further notice.

In May this year DSP was also detected in oysters and mussels from Walvis Bay Aquaculture Production Area 1.

The ministry further stressed that marine biotoxins are not destroyed by cooking and freezing.

DSP is one of four recognised symptom types of shellfish poisoning. The others are paralytic shellfish poisoning, neurotoxic shellfish poisoning and amnesic shellfish poisoning.

As the name suggests, DSP manifests itself as intense diarrhoea and severe abdominal pain. Nausea and vomiting may also sometimes occur. There is a risk of dehydration. As no life-threatening symptoms generally emerge from this, no fatalities from DSP have ever been recorded.

Symptoms usually set in within about half an hour of ingesting infected shellfish and last for about one day.

The ministry said should any of the above symptoms occur after eating shellfish, people should seek immediate medical assistance.

ELLANIE SMIT