Red tide continues to plague El Salvador

Salvadoran newspapers reported today that the toxic algae bloom known as "red tide" continues off the coast of the country. The ban on the sale of shellfish -- clams, oysters, and mussels -- continues for at least two more weeks. At least twenty-one people have been poisoned by eating shellfish affected by the red tide toxin and one person has died.

Authorities are concerned that the population is not getting the message about the risks of eating shellfish and that shellfish are still being openly sold and served in foodstalls across the country.