Tahong kills boy, 6, downs 45
The mussels were reportedly harvested from Irong-Irong Bay, which remains positive for the algae that produces the red tide toxin. File
TACLOBAN CITY, Philippines — A six-year-old boy died while 45 others were hospitalized in Samar on Wednesday after eating tahong or mussels that were found positive for the red tide toxin.
Jobet Avilar, a resident of Barangay Tapua in Catbalogan, suffered stomach pain and diarrhea. He died from dehydration at the Samar Provincial Hospital.
The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) said 33 of the victims, all residents of Barangays Zumarraga and Daram, remained confined at the same hospital.
Four other victims, who are residents of Pinabacdao town, were taken to the Eastern Visayas Regional Medical Center. The other victims are from Tarangnan town.
The mussels were reportedly harvested from Irong-Irong Bay, which remains positive for the algae that produces the red tide toxin.
BFAR said shellfish gathered from the bays in Matarinao, Eastern Samar; Maqueda and Villareal, Samar and Carigara, Leyte also remain positive for paralytic shellfish poison that is beyond the regulatory limit.
The BFAR reiterated its appeal to local government units to help in the information drive and enforcement of the shellfish ban.
All types of shellfish gathered in areas where the red tide alert is up are not safe for human consumption.
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