The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued a warning advising consumers to avoid eating shellfish from Oregon and Washington state due to contamination with toxins that cause paralytic shellfish poisoning. At least 31 people have been affected by this poisoning in Oregon alone.
The warning specifically mentions oysters and bay clams harvested from Netarts and Tillamook bays in northern Oregon since May 28, as well as shellfish from areas around Willapa Bay in southern Washington since May 26. The toxins causing this poisoning are known as paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) and are produced by algae.
The outbreak of paralytic shellfish poisoning was first detected in shellfish on the Oregon coast on May 17. Since then, it has sickened at least 31 people in Oregon. Authorities have closed the coastline to the harvesting of mussels, razor clams, and bay clams in response to this outbreak.
Paralytic shellfish poisoning is caused by saxitoxin, a neurotoxin that can damage nerve tissue. Symptoms of PSP include numbness of the mouth and lips, vomiting, diarrhea, shortness of breath, and irregular heartbeat. There is no antidote to this poisoning, and cooking or freezing contaminated shellfish does not make it safe to eat.
The toxins responsible for paralytic shellfish poisoning have accumulated in the shellfish due to a large algal bloom along Oregon’s coast. This bloom is believed to be caused by natural processes and human activities, such as nutrient flow from fertilizers into bodies of water.
It may take weeks, months, or even up to a year for toxin levels to subside in the shellfish, depending on the type. Mussels can eliminate the toxin within two weeks to a month, while razor clams may take several months to a year to cleanse themselves.
The economic impact of this outbreak is significant, as the shellfish industry in the Pacific Northwest generates $270 million annually and employs around 3,200 people. The closures imposed due to paralytic shellfish poisoning may affect the region’s economy and seafood industry.
While such high levels of paralytic shellfish poison have not been detected in Oregon for decades, PSP has been a prevalent issue in regional waters for centuries. The current outbreak serves as a reminder of the risks associated with consuming contaminated shellfish and the importance of monitoring water quality and shellfish safety.