Two patients were taken to the Port Dickson Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit following episodes of food poisoning, which they believe was brought on by consuming mussels. While one patient received outpatient care, five others were admitted to the general ward at Port Dickson Hospital.
Dr. Harlina Abdul Rashid, the director of the Negeri Sembilan Health Department, stated that she believes this to be the reason behind the occurrence, having eaten mussels that bought from two markets near Port Dickson.
There were eight incidences of food poisoning linked to mussels, the first of which was reported on April 1.Additionally, Dr. Harlina Abdul Rashid disclosed that eight instances in all had symptoms like headaches, numbness in the hands and feet, and weakening in the muscles. The Kuala Lumpur Fisheries Biosecurity Centre conducted a laboratory analysis and found that the polluted and unsafe-to-eat mussels in Port Dickson waters are caused by harmful algae.
According to Wan Aznan Abdullah, deputy director-general of management for the Fisheries Department (DOF), biotoxins and dangerous algal species were present in water samples and mussels.According to him, initial investigation revealed that the cases were multiple families who had a history of ingesting mussels from two markets close to Port Dickson.
People are free to consume fish, squid, crabs, and other marine produce, according to Wan Aznan. “Furthermore, it is safe to consume bivalves that are farmed and harvested in states like Johor and Melaka. For the time being, only those gathered in Port Dickson should not be consumed,” Wan Aznan added.
In Pasir Panjang, there are forty registered mussel operators in addition to unregistered ones. It is not necessary to remove the mussels from the water; they will self-neutralize. Wan Aznan stated. However, the mussels that have been harvested and sold in the market must be destroyed adding that the department is collaborating with the police he informed.
In order to determine whether the mussels in the waters off the coast are safe to eat, Wan Aznan said that the department will collect further samples for testing following the Raya holiday.
