date:Dec 21, 2012
The number of people affected by paralytic shellfish poisoning toxin has increased by seven since Tuesday. In total, 27 people have been poisoned by eating shellfish collected from the Bay of Plenty coastline.
Thirteen people have been admitted to hospital after suffering symptoms ranging from tingling around the mouth to difficulty walking. Three people remain in hospital.
The toxin that causes the illness comes from algae in the ocean. Shellfish feed on the algae and concentrate the toxin in