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5 More Stricken With Red Tide Poisoning

August 29, 2000

By KOMO Staff & News Services

PIERCE COUNTY - Five more people have been sent to the hospital after eating shellfish tainted with red tide poisoning, bringing the total to seven in the last week.

The first two men are still in the hospital but their conditions have been upgraded. They ate bad mussels from Carr Inlet in Pierce County.

Earlier this month, shellfish harvesting was banned in that area because of toxins in the water.

Health officials do say commercial shellfish is tested and should be safe to eat.

Many other areas of Puget Sound also are closed to harvesting right now.

For more information on which beaches are closed check www.doh.wa.gov or call the red tide hotline at 1-800-562-5632.