No collecting of shellfish

Published: 24 November 2023

People are being warned not to collect shellfish from anywhere along the coast from Te Awanga to Bay View after harmful viruses and bacteria have been found in wild mussels tested as part of post-cyclone monitoring.

This is in addition to a New Zealand Food Safety advisory to the public not to collect or consume shellfish gathered from the East Coast of the North Island due to the presence of paralytic shellfish toxins, caused by algae.

Napier City Council, Hastings District Council, Hawke’s Bay Regional Council and Te Whatu Ora are warning about the risks of collecting and eating shellfish from Hawke Bay. This extends to animals eaten raw, such as kina. Finned fish are considered low risk if there are adequate food safety precautions such as removing the gut then cooking the fish.

Napier City Council, in conjunction with New Zealand Food Safety and Te Whatu Ora, have been testing shellfish in this area for viruses and bacteria as part of the post-cyclone monitoring. Further testing will be carried out over the coming weeks.

Signs have been placed in affected areas and communities are being warned that eating shellfish collected from the area could cause serious illness.

Te Whatu Ora Medical Officer of Health Dr Bridget Wilson says the symptoms of norovirus and salmonella are similar and include vomiting, diarrhoea, fever, stomach cramps, chills and nausea. Anyone who develops illness after consuming shellfish should phone Healthline for advice on 0800 61 11 16.

This advice applies only to recreationally gathered shellfish, not mussels available for sale in retail outlets.

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