MEDIA RELEASE
1700 Thursday, 20 August 2009

ARPHS continues to warn the public against beach activity within the Hauraki Gulf

Auckland Regional Public Health Service (ARPHS) confirms that a strong caution is still in place for activity on beaches in the Hauraki Gulf, in particular for the safety of children and dogs on beaches. This warning follows the death of another dog after exercising at Stanmore Bay during the weekend. The facts of this dog's death are unclear and scientists from government agencies are investigating.

We don't know the cause yet, but this new death may be linked to death and illness in other dogs, " said Clinical Director at ARPHS, Dr Julia Peters.
"We know that going to the beach is a favourite pastime for Aucklanders so these warnings are not made lightly. We understand people's frustration at this constraint on their lifestyle but our overriding concern is to protect public health."

"Our concern is people's safety as poisonous sea slugs are a new risk, and if a child eats or puts one of these creatures in their mouth it could be potentially fatal."

Currently we know that 5 dogs have died and 14 have become sick after visiting Hauraki Gulf beaches. We know that tetrododoxin, a very potent neurotoxin, has been found in dead sea slugs and the vomit of one dead dog. We do not know whether the problem has gone away or if it is persisting.

Auckland Regional Public Health Service (ARPHS) is advising continued caution with beach activity in the Hauraki Gulf and strongly recommends that the public follows this advice:
*

Children should not be taken to Hauraki Gulf beaches
* Dogs should not be taken to Hauraki Gulf beaches
* Other visitors to the beach should not handle any marine life, in particular any dead marine life or birds
* People should not swim from beaches but swimming off boats is considered safe
* People should not collect shellfish from beaches within the Hauraki Gulf

The New Zealand Food Safety Authority (NZFSA) is not advising any restrictions on recreational fishing.

Sea slugs live on the sea bed and are found in both shallow and deep water and may be washed up onto beaches. There are no definite answers about how the sea slugs collected from Narrow Neck Beach have acquired the poison tetrodotoxin (found in Puffer fish). Tetrodotoxin is extremely poisonous and potentially fatal to humans and animals.

Investigations among the government agencies are ongoing with advice from scientists and technical experts from the Department of Conservation (DOC), Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry Biosecurity NZ (MAFBNZ), Ministry of Fisheries (MoF), New Zealand Food Safety Authority (NZFSA), National Poisons Centre(NPC) and regional and local councils.

People developing any symptoms within one to two hours of exposure to sea water or sea life should seek immediate medical attention.

Pet owners are advised to contact their local veterinary clinic should their pet develop symptoms after exposure on the beach.

Further questions relating to public health issues can be directed to: Auckland Regional Public Health Service phone (09) 623 4600.

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