Auckland health authorities are again warning people to watch out for highly poisonous sea slugs on beaches after a "near miss" involving a four-year-girl.
Sea slugs around Hauraki Gulf beaches had been found to carry tetrodotoxin (TTX), a potent poison found in puffer fish. Even a small dose could be fatal, Auckland Regional Public Health Service medical officer of health Simon Baker said.
Last year 15 dogs fell ill after eating the slugs and five of those died.
Lower than normal tides on North Shore beaches had left slugs higher up the beach than usual, Mr Baker said.
A concerned father had told the health service his daughter came into contact with a slug yesterday evening.
"This is the nearest miss we have had. Clearly, sea slugs are still just off our beaches, and still pose a threat," Mr Baker said .
He warned people to supervise children and pets, not eat anything washed up on the beach, report any slug sightings but not touch them.
"It's second nature to most people to ensure children and animals are carefully watched when swimming and playing to avoid hazards and accidents.
"However, we want people to be a little more cautious about what they handle on Hauraki Gulf beaches, particularly at Narrow Neck and Cheltenham on the North Shore," Dr Baker said.
Early symptoms of TTX poisoning include numbness and tingling around the mouth, and nausea, which may progress to paralysis, incoordination and slurred speech.
Anyone falling ill after contact with a slug should seek medical attention.
