He was commenting on a June 1 letter issued by the Sabah Public Health Division on the presence of red tide in Sabah’s west coast waters.

The letter was addressed to the department’s health officers but somehow became viral on social media and WhatsApp.

Ahemad said the current situation is not a threat and that it is safe to consume seafood.

“Red tide is a natural phenomenon and a common occurrence only in the waters off the west coast in Sabah,” Ahemad told the Daily Express.

“However, there’s no need for the public to panic as the red tide situation is now at a normal level based on our monitoring and analysis results of the paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) toxins in seawater, moluscs and fish from January until May this year.

“Based on our latest readings in May, the level is zero where no PSP toxins were detected.

“But if the PSP toxins level reach 80 microorganisms per 100g, then the public would be advised to refrain from consuming shellfish or bivalves.”

The viral letter stated that red tide had been found in the waters off Kota Kinabalu, Kota Belud, Kota Marudu, Beaufort, Sandakan, Kuala Penyu, Tawau and Pitas.

The letter further said the situation had not reached dangerous levels but advised residents in the districts to exercise caution.