Virus infected fish and meat products

At Issue: Decision by the local government to prohibit the importation of meat and fish products.

Our View: It is a timely decision to prevent the outbreak of cholera and other deadly viral diseases.

A year ago, there was an outbreak of a deadly viral diseased from chicken in Hong Kong requiring the killing of birds all over that country by the thousands.

This was followed by another deadly viral disease from pork, thus the killing or eradication of pigs in farms around Southeast Asia.

Recently, a dangerous virus from beef was found in South Korea. Most cattle ranchers had to get rid of their stock to prevent the disease from spreading.

There’s a recent outbreak of cholera in both Pohnpei and Chuuk in the Federated States of Micronesia.

Here at home, there’s DEQ’s weekly warning of two forms of coliform bacteria found in beaches around the Garapan area. It necessitated serious health advisory for both swimmers and fishermen to steer clear of these areas within 300 feet from the shore.

The local government has imposed prohibition against the importation of meat products from Southeast Asia as a preventative measure.
Last week, it issued the same for fish products from the FSM following food poisoning originating from two local weddings.

Traditionally and even in modern day Marianas, most of our gatherings revolve around food from baptismal, first holy communion, confirmation, weddings, birthdays, novenas, rosaries, anniversaries, beach or ranch gatherings, among others. It involves a simple or elaborate preparation of raw food, i.e., chicken, pork, beef, fish and other seafood.

Seldom are we wary of the critical aspect of fish and seafood handling especially those we import from neighboring islands. The decomposition process begins the minute, i.e., a yellow fin tuna is caught, reef fish, clams and oysters, shrimp and others. Unless they are handled well and processed accordingly with strict care, decomposition sets in quickly where toxin build-up occurs.

This doesn’t include such issues as the safety of, i.e., reef fish that may have been caught in polluted lagoon waters. Such catch include oysters and clams. Their handling is highly critical and none of us get to see this aspect of seafood preparation. It warrants for the adoption of a certain standard of processing criteria that meets USDA requirements.

It should facilitate rather than derail the flow of fish and seafood products among island countries in the Micronesian region. We strongly suggest that key people in government (Micronesia-wide) converge to formulate a uniform set of standard addressing critical handling of all seafood and pre-cooked food. Si Yuus Maase`!