MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Massive shellfish intoxication in Chile.

Chilean Deputy Public Health Minister Soledad Ubilla discarded decreeing a “sanitary emergency” since the medical centres capacity has not been overwhelmed by the extending sea food intoxication crisis which has reached 5,955 cases.

However she admitted that the country faces an "abnormal situation", since on Sunday only, 490 new cases had been reported.

According to the latest figures, Sunday, from the Public Heath Ministry the number of cases with vibrio para-haemolyticus intoxication had reached 5,955.

Vibrio para-haemolyticus, discovered fifty years ago has been implicated as a major cause of food borne illness around the globe and is a natural inhabitant of marine waters. Human infections are most commonly associated with the consumption of raw, undercooked or contaminated shellfish.

With the warming of sea water the vibrion, usually present in marine sediments, expands and contaminates shellfish.

So far the extreme north and south of Chile (Magallanes) have been virtually free of the infectious vibrio, with Region IX the most affected, 2.592 cases, followed by Biobío with 824 and Santiago 636 intoxications.

But authorities are confident they can control the spread of the vibrio in the main cities since they have the power to confiscate and destroy infected shellfish plus closing those stores selling them.

Deputy Minister Ubilla insisted that shellfish must be boiled "at least five minutes before consumption", and recalled that pouring boiling water or lemon juice "simply is not enough".

"They must be consumed in licensed outlets and transport and conservation of shell fish must be done in cold storage conditions", added Ms Ubilla.

Furthermore the Chilean Public Health Ministry has launched a national campaign in the media indicating which the best methods to avoid intoxication are and how to proceed if symptoms indicate intoxication.

"The fact that in Magallanes we haven't detected the vibrio, (which is distantly related to cholera), doesn't mean it's not present. It's all along the Chilean coast and has exploded further north because of rising water temperatures", indicated Sergio Ruiz, regional head of the Public Health Ministry.

"So it's essential we respect recommendations and only consume well cooked/boiled shellfish", added Mr. Ruiz who admitted that Magallanes residents are more aware of the danger because of their experience with the recurrent toxic red tide.