At least 31 people have been sickened by PSP in Oregon since May 2023.
Oysters and bay clams harvested from Netarts and Tillamook bays in northern Oregon, as well as shellfish harvested from areas around Willapa Bay in southern Washington are affected.
Paralytic shellfish poisoning is not the only biotoxin affecting the Pacific Northwest's shellfish population; domoic acid accumulation has also been detected.
The closure of harvesting areas due to biotoxins has significant economic consequences for those communities.
The FDA has issued a warning against eating shellfish from Oregon and Washington due to paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) and domoic acid.
There is no antidote for biotoxin poisoning, but symptoms can be treated with supportive care such as mechanical ventilation for respiratory failure.
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a warning to consumers against eating shellfish from Oregon and Washington due to the presence of paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP), a naturally occurring neurotoxin produced by algae that can cause numbness, vomiting, diarrhea, shortness of breath, and irregular heartbeat in severe cases. At least 31 people have been sickened by PSP in Oregon since May 2023. The FDA warning applies to oysters and bay clams harvested from Netarts and Tillamook bays in northern Oregon, as well as shellfish harvested from areas around Willapa Bay in southern Washington. Paralytic shellfish poisoning is not the only biotoxin affecting the Pacific Northwest's shellfish population; domoic acid accumulation has also been detected, leading to closures of commercial oyster fisheries in Tillamook Bay, Netarts Bay, and Umpqua Bay. The Oregon Department of Agriculture will test for shellfish toxins at least twice a month until the levels decrease. Reopening an area closed for biotoxins requires two consecutive tests with results below the closure limit.
Paralytic shellfish poisoning is not new to the Pacific Northwest, but historically high levels of PSP toxins have been detected in recent months. The algal blooms that produce these toxins are tied to climate change and can be harmful not only to humans but also to marine life. While there is no antidote for biotoxin poisoning, symptoms can be treated with supportive care such as mechanical ventilation for respiratory failure.
The shellfish industry in the Pacific Northwest generates $270 million annually and employs over 3,200 people. The closure of harvesting areas due to biotoxins has significant economic consequences for those communities.
It is important to note that cooking or freezing contaminated shellfish does not destroy the poisonous biotoxins. Consumers are advised to check local and state health department websites for updates on shellfish advisories and closures before consuming any shellfish from the Pacific Northwest.
Historic high levels of marine biotoxin have been detected in clams.
At least 21 people were sickened by Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP) after consuming toxic mussels since May 25.
Symptoms of PSP include numbness and tingling, diarrhea and vomiting, headache, nausea, poor muscle control, clumsiness or slurred speech, difficulty swallowing, loose or floppy limbs, mental status changes, and respiratory failure.
Mussels and clams continue to show historically high levels of the biotoxin. The Oregon Department of Agriculture will test for shellfish toxins at least twice a month until the levels decrease.
Reopening an area closed for biotoxins requires two consecutive tests with results below the closure limit.
Oregon authorities have expanded shellfish harvesting closures along the state’s entire coastline to include razor clams and bay clams due to historic high levels of paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) toxins.
At least 31 people have been sickened by the shellfish poisoning outbreak in Oregon and Washington states.
Paralytic shellfish poisoning is caused by saxitoxin, a naturally occurring toxin produced by algae.
Accuracy
At least 31 people have been sickened by PSP in Oregon since May.
Paralytic shellfish poisoning is caused by saxitoxin, a neurotoxin produced by algae.
