SEREMBAN, April 6 — People in the state are advised against consuming mussels, clams and other bivalves, especially from Port Dickson waters for the time being, said Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun.
He said this is as the state Fisheries Department (DOF) is still conducting observations and analyses of water and bivalves in the areas.
“We used to hear about food poisoning involving mussels and clams, but it has not occurred for a long time. However, it recently recurred in Port Dickson. The DOF has also informed of the cause.
“We know that there are several farmers involved in mussel farming in the area. We hope the public will avoid it until this issue is resolved.
“The state government will see what kind of action it will take, because we have not yet received a full report from the state DOF, including the number of farmers involved,” he told reporters after attending the opening of a supermarket, here, today.
On April 4, DOF deputy director-general (management) Wan Aznan Abdullah reportedly said that laboratory analysis of the Kuala Lumpur Fisheries Biosecurity Centre found that there was harmful algae, which caused the mussels in Port Dickson waters to be contaminated and unsafe to eat.
He said water samples and mussels in the waters were contaminated with biotoxins, as well as harmful Prorocentrum, Alexandrium and Pseudonitzschia algae species.
— Bernama
