MANILA, Philippines: The Department of Health (DoH) warned the public against eating shellfish like mussels, oysters, clams and acetes sp. or alamang due to toxic red tide.

The warning came after the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) announced that shellfish collected and tested from coastal waters of Milagros in Masbate; coastal waters of Dauis and Tagbilaran City in Bohol; San Pedro Bay in Samar and Matarinao Bay in Eastern Samar; Dumanquillas Bay in Zamboanga del Sur; and coastal waters of San Benito in Surigao del Norte were still positive for Paralytic Shellfish Poison (PSP) or toxic red tide.

In a statement Saturday, DoH said the signs and symptoms of paralytic shellfish poisoning can be felt within 12 hours after eating unsafe shellfish.

These include numbness around the mouth or face; dizziness; pricking sensation and/or paralysis of hands and feet; body weakness; rapid pulse; difficulty talking, swallowing, or breathing; and headache.