The public has been warned not to eat shellfish harvested from Waterford estuary in a "serious public health alert" by the South Eastern Health Board.
The warning applies to bivalve shellfish harvested since January 20th.
Monitoring by the Department of the Marine has indicated toxicity in shellfish, which is likely to cause diarrhetic shellfish poisoning (DSP), according to the Marine Institute's fisheries research centre. Restaurateurs and fishmongers have been told not to sell shellfish harvested on the Wexford and Waterford sides of the estuary.
The public has been advised not to collect and consume shellfish from the estuary until further notice. DSP can cause severe gastrointestinal symptoms including diarrhoea.