The Department of Health (DoH) warned Tuesday against red tide poisoning in Dumanquillas Bay in Zamboanga del Sur; Bislig Bay in Bislig City, Surigao del Sur; Murcielagos Bay in Zamboanga del Norte and Misamis Occidental, and Matarinao Bay in Eastern Samar.

Laboratory results from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources and Local Government Units confirmed that paralytic shellfish poisoning is present in these areas.

Health Secretary Esperanza Cabral warned the public not to consume all types of shellfish, including the “alamang” in the mentioned areas.

But the health chief said that fish, squid, shrimps, and crabs are safe to eat as long as they are fresh and washed thoroughly, and its internal organs such as gills and intestines are removed before cooking.

“A person who has consumed shellfish affected with the red tide toxin may experience any or a combination of the following symptoms: facial numbness, headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, breathing difficulty, abdominal cramps, and weakness or paralysis of one or more extremities,” the DoH official said in a statement.

Persons who suspect they have been affected by paralytic shellfish poisoning should seek medical advice immediately, Cabral said.

The DoH said the following areas are presently free from red tide toxin: coastal waters of Cavite, Las Piñas, Parañaque, Navotas, Bulacan, Bataan in Manila Bay; the coastal waters of Alaminos, Anda, Bolinao, and Wawa, Bani in Pangasinan; Masinloc Bay in Zambales; coastal waters of Milagros and Mandaon in Masbate; Inner Malampaya Sound in Taytay and Honda Bay in Palawan; coastal waters of Pilar, President Roxas, Pontevedra, Panay, Roxas City, Ivisan and Sapian in Capiz; coastal waters of Pontevedra in Negros Occidental; Irong-irong, Maqueda and Villareal Bays in Samar; Ormoc, San Pedro, Cancabato and Carigara Bays in Leyte; Biliran waters in Biliran Province; Hinatuan and Lianga Bays in Surigao del Sur; Balite Bay in Mati, Davao Oriental; coastal waters of Kabasalan in Sibuguey Bay, Zamboanga Sibugay and Juag Lagoon in Matnog, Sorsogon, and Sorsogon Bay in Sorsogon. (Jenny F. Manongdo)