New Zealand Food Safety (NZFS) has advised the public not to collect or consume shellfish gathered from Hawke's Bay due to the presence of toxins.
Symptoms of paralytic shellfish poisoning include numbness and a tingling feeling around the mouth, face, hands and feet, difficulty swallowing or breathing, dizziness and headaches, nausea and vomiting, diarrhoea, paralysis, respiratory failure and in severe cases, death.
NZFS deputy-director Vincent Arbuckle said in a statement that routine tests on shellfish have shown toxins "over the safe limit".
"Routine tests on mussels from Pania Reef in Napier have shown levels of paralytic shellfish toxins over the safe limit.
"The warning extends from Cape Kidnappers, north to Mohaka River."
Cooking the shellfish does not remove the toxin, he said.
However, NZFS said that pāua, crab and crayfish can be eaten provided that the gut is completely removed prior to cooking, as toxins accumulate in the gut. If it is not removed, its contents could contaminate the meat during the cooking process.
Anyone who becomes ill after eating shellfish from an area where a public health warning has been issued is urged to contact their nearest public health unit and keep any leftover shellfish for testing.
"NZFS is monitoring shellfish in the region and will notify the public of any changes to the situation," Arbuckle said.
Commercially harvested shellfish — sold in shops and supermarkets or exported — is subject to strict water and flesh monitoring programmes by NZFS to ensure they are safe to eat.
No cases of associated illness have been reported to NZFS.
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