MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Massive intoxication in Puerto Montt

Chief Medical Officer of Chile's X. Region José Antonio Vergara called on the local population not to consumer shell fish or crustaceans live or cooked, until the causes of a massive intoxication can be determined.

Over 350 people reported at the Emergency Service of the local hospital in Puerto Montt or privately suffering acute intoxication apparently originated in shell fish and/or crustacean consumption.

Samples from patients have been taken to be analyzed, as well as from local businesses retailing sea food, particularly bivalves.

All patients coincide in having consumed raw shell fish or crustaceans, (quiet common in Chile) and the clinical symptoms are similar, acute gastroenteritis, extreme pain, abdominal colic, vomiting, nausea and diarrhoea".

However Dr. Vergara said that primary tests categorically discard any relation with the much feared red tide intoxication.

Puerto Montt is an hour and a half north of Punta Arenas by air.