SINGAPORE: Rumours circulating on WhatsApp about an outbreak of shellfish poisoning in Bedok are untrue, said the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) and the Ministry of Health (MOH) on Monday (Apr 8).
“As of Apr 8, 2024, there have been no reports of outbreaks of shellfish poisoning in Singapore. The Ministry of Health and Singapore Food Agency urge the public not to forward or circulate unsubstantiated information,” said the authorities in response to CNA’s queries.
SFA said on Saturday that it had been notified by Malaysia's Department of Fisheries (DOF) that mussels found in waters off Port Dickson are contaminated by biotoxins and are not safe for consumption.
The Singapore authority said it was working with importers to verify the source of their mussel imports, and to restrict any supply and sale of implicated mussels from Port Dickson.
WhatsApp messages then started circulating that the "Bedok area is currently experiencing an outbreak of shellfish poisoning due to neurotoxins".
It added that some patients were in critical condition in hospital and urged people not to eat any shellfish such as mussels, clams, scallops, oysters or geoduck.
One message seen by CNA showed it had been forwarded many times.
Besides Malaysia, Singapore also imports mussels from other countries, such as China, Japan and Vietnam.
MOH and SFA said that shellfish poisoning can be caused by eating shellfish contaminated with bacteria, viruses or toxins produced by marine microorganisms.
“Consumers can protect themselves by not harvesting and consuming shellfish from the wild, as these shellfish may contain biotoxins that cannot be removed by cooking,” the authorities said.
“Consumers should always purchase shellfish from SFA-approved businesses, and avoid consuming raw or undercooked bivalves, especially for the young, elderly, immunocompromised or pregnant.”
Those who feel ill after eating shellfish should immediately seek medical attention.
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“As of Apr 8, 2024, there have been no reports of outbreaks of shellfish poisoning in Singapore. The Ministry of Health and Singapore Food Agency urge the public not to forward or circulate unsubstantiated information,” said the authorities in response to CNA’s queries.
SFA said on Saturday that it had been notified by Malaysia's Department of Fisheries (DOF) that mussels found in waters off Port Dickson are contaminated by biotoxins and are not safe for consumption.
The Singapore authority said it was working with importers to verify the source of their mussel imports, and to restrict any supply and sale of implicated mussels from Port Dickson.
WhatsApp messages then started circulating that the "Bedok area is currently experiencing an outbreak of shellfish poisoning due to neurotoxins".
It added that some patients were in critical condition in hospital and urged people not to eat any shellfish such as mussels, clams, scallops, oysters or geoduck.
One message seen by CNA showed it had been forwarded many times.
Besides Malaysia, Singapore also imports mussels from other countries, such as China, Japan and Vietnam.
MOH and SFA said that shellfish poisoning can be caused by eating shellfish contaminated with bacteria, viruses or toxins produced by marine microorganisms.
“Consumers can protect themselves by not harvesting and consuming shellfish from the wild, as these shellfish may contain biotoxins that cannot be removed by cooking,” the authorities said.
“Consumers should always purchase shellfish from SFA-approved businesses, and avoid consuming raw or undercooked bivalves, especially for the young, elderly, immunocompromised or pregnant.”
Those who feel ill after eating shellfish should immediately seek medical attention.
Continue reading...