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Recent PSP outbreak In Washington State - hospitalizations

In late August, 2000, an outbreak of PSP at levels greater than 13,000 micrograms per 100 g in mussels resulted in the hospitalization of about 9 people in Washington State. These were recreational harvesters who had collected mussels and consumed them. Two of the consumers were hospitalized and placed on artificial respiration for about 1 week. One came very close to death, even with medical intervention. This was the most severe case of poisoning since the PSP deaths reported in 1942 in Washington State. In the 1942 case, the remote location of the victims and lack of necessary medical technologies in that era, probably contributed to the mortalities.

In this yearÆs case, the shellfish were gathered in Puget Sound, Carr Inlet across from the city of Tacoma. This area is about 30 miles south of the city of Seattle. PSP, prior to 1978 was little known in the southern part of Puget Sound, but since that time events have been escalating. Two years ago, a commercially prepared shellfish from the south end of the Sound caused illness in several people, sparking a recall of the lot.

The State of Washington has a very aggressive sampling, monitoring, and surveillance program for marine biotoxins. The area where these shellfish were collected had been posted as closed by the health authorities. The victims claimed to be somewhat aware that toxic shellfish could make them ill, but did not think that they could get that sick. Basically, they ignored the warnings.

For more information about this occurrence and how local risk management covers the topic visit the following web-sites:

Washington State Department of Health site: http://www.doh.wa.gov/ehp/sf/biotoxin.htm

The Pierce County (the area in which the poisonings occurred) web-site is very informative: http://www.healthdept.co.pierce.wa.us/water/rec/

Below are web citations for the Tacoma New Tribune site, the local newspaper covering Pierce County, pointing to some recent articles detailing both this occurrence and also an article on HABs in both Puget Sound and the West Coast of North America.

Scientists say dangers from marine toxins getting worse - and nobody is sure why: http://search.tribnet.com/archive/30_day_archive/0912a11.html

Health officials meet with Asian elders to devise better ways to warn about shellfish dangers: http://search.tribnet.com/archive/30_day_archive/0903b11.html

Carr Inlet shellfish have stricken 7 people despite beach closures; language barrier partly to blame: http://search.tribnet.com/archive/30_day_archive/0829a11.html

2 men severely poisoned by eating red tide mussels: http://search.tribnet.com/archive/30_day_archive/0826b26.html

John C. Wekell, Ph.D.
U.S. Department of Commerce
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
National Marine Fisheries Service
Northwest Fisheries Science Center
Environmental Conservation Division
2725 Montlake Blvd. East Seattle, WA 98112
ph. (206) 860-3388
fax (206) 860-3335