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Health Officials Issue Shellfish Warning

Aug. 25, 2000

OLYMPIA - State Health Officials are warning people to be careful eating any mussels harvested from Puget Sound.

Two men were hospitalized with Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning symptoms after consuming mussels from Carr Inlet in Pierce County, State Health Officials said Friday.

The department found extremely high levels of Paralytic Shellfish Poison (PSP) in shellfish in Carr Inlet and closed it on August 3, 2000. Many areas of Puget Sound are currently registering very high levels of PSP toxin and have been closed. Monitoring shellfish for PSP throughout state marine waters is ongoing.

"Commercially harvested shellfish currently on the market has undergone thorough testing and should be safe to eat," said Judy Dowell, manager of commercial shellfish harvesting in the state Department of Health's Office of Shellfish Programs.

PSP is not destroyed by cooking. It is a natural marine toxin, commonly called "Red Tide" that is produced by a type of plankton.

A person who eats shellfish with high PSP levels can become ill within minutes of eating. The symptoms usually begin with tingling of the mouth and tongue. Severe poisoning can result in dizziness; numbness and tingling in the arms and legs; paralysis of the arms and legs; and paralysis of the muscles used for breathing.

Recreational harvesters should check for biotoxin closures by calling the state Department of Health's biotoxin hotline at 1-800-562-5632, or checking the at Department's web site.

Harvesters should also look for and obey warning signs that have been posted on many recreational beaches. However, there are miles of shoreline that have not been posted. Harvesters should not rely on warning signs to decide if beaches are safe for shellfish harvesting.

For more information, contact your local health department.