Health News: Frozen raw tuna likely source of salmonella infections ♦ Marine litter undermines benefits of coastal environments ♦ Electrical signals could help repair injured spinal cords

Frozen raw tuna likely source of salmonella infections As of July 14, 2015, 60 people infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Paratyphi B variant L(+) tartrate(+) have been reported from 11 states. Eleven ill people have been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported. That’s according to the latest update from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which was posted July 15...

Marine litter undermines benefits of coastal environments Marine litter has the potential to undermine the psychological benefits of coastal environments.

Common diabetes drug can also treat liver cirrhosis Diabetes drug metformin can treat portal hypertension--high blood pressure in the liver resulting from cirrhosis, new research shows. This study adds to the growing body of evidence showing that use of metformin goes beyond treating type 2 diabetes.

Therapeutic target identified for treatment of spinal cord injuries Therapeutic target for the treatment of acute spinal cord injuries has been identified. According to research, conducted on mice, the administration of a drug that prevents loss of myelin -- the insulating sheath around nerve fibers that allows signals to be transmitted -- increases the mobility of the mice after an injury.

Electrical signals could help repair injured spinal cords Wichita State University's Li Yao is taking a special approach to the study of spinal cord injuries through research that uses an electrical signal to repair tissue damage.

Bilinguals of two spoken languages have more gray matter than monolinguals A new study suggests people who speak two languages have more gray matter in the executive control region of the brain

New Zealand: Marine biotoxin alerts

Shellfish and seawater samples around New Zealand are tested each week to ensure they are not contaminated with biotoxin from blooms of algae. Public warnings are issued when shellfish are not safe to eat. This page contains information relating to the non-commercial (recreational and traditional) taking of shellfish only.

Marine biotoxin warnings currently in force

North Island

Toxic shellfish poisoning strikes the Bay again- 9/12/2014

In the past 24 hours reports of six people suffering from toxic shellfish poisoning have been received by the Medical Officer of Health.  Each person affected had eaten shellfish collected from the coastline which has a current health warning.  Dr Jim Miller, Medical Officer of Health, would like to remind the public that this health warning due to shellfish toxins along part of Bay of Plenty coastline is still in place.

“I've had reports that people have been continuing to eat shellfish and have felt unwell after doing so.  The toxins can make people very ill and I strongly advise not collecting or consuming shellfish from any part of the affected area,” says Dr Miller.

“These are the first cases we have had reported since the Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP) outbreak in the Bay of Plenty in late 2012.  The PSP toxin levels in shellfish from this area are rising and I urge people to heed the warning and make sure that their visitors and friends are aware,” says Dr Miller.

A health warning was issued on 28th November 2014 advising against the collection of shellfish from Mount Maunganui and along the Bay of Plenty coast to Whakatane Heads in the Eastern Bay of Plenty.  The warning includes all islands and estuaries along this part of the coastline.

The health warning applies to all bivalve shellfish including mussels, pipi, tuatua, cockles, oysters, scallops as well as cat’s eyes, snails and kina (sea urchin).  Shellfish in the affected area should not be taken or eaten.  Shellfish containing the toxin don't look or taste any different from shellfish that are safe to eat. Cooking or freezing the shellfish does not remove the toxin.  Paua, crayfish and crabs can still be taken but as always, the gut should be removed before consuming.

Consumption of shellfish affected by the PSP toxin can cause numbness and tingling around the mouth, face, hands and feet; difficulty swallowing or breathing; dizziness; double vision; and in severe cases, paralysis and respiratory failure.  These symptoms can start as soon as 1-2 hours after eating toxic shellfish and usually within 12 hours.  Anyone suffering illness after eating shellfish should seek urgent medical attention.