The FDA issued a warning to restaurants, food retailers, and consumers regarding certain types of shellfish from Washington and Oregon. The concern is that these shellfish may be contaminated with toxins that cause paralytic shellfish poisoning. This has already resulted in approximately two dozen people becoming ill. It is imperative to avoid these shellfish to prevent further illness.
Since May 28, the FDA has identified oysters and bay clams harvested from growing areas in Netarts and Tillamook Bays in Oregon, as well as all shellfish from Willapa Bay, Washington, as affected. Stony Point, Bay Center, and Bruceport in Washington are also areas of concern identified by the FDA from the end of May.
The shellfish harvested from the aforementioned areas were then widely distributed across states like Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Nevada, and New York.
Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP) is a severe type of shellfish poisoning that is prevalent and can have detrimental effects. It occurs due to the presence of neurotoxins called saxitoxins or paralytic shellfish toxins, which are produced naturally by phytoplankton, a type of marine algae. When molluscan shellfish consume this algae, they can retain the toxin for varying durations, some of them quickly eliminating them, while others take a longer time to do so. This factor, as per the FDA, prolongs the time-period during which these shellfish can pose a risk to human consumption.
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After shellfish are harvested, their toxins cannot be eliminated through cooking or freezing methods. Despite appearing, smelling, and tasting normal, the FDA cautions consumers to be vigilant for symptoms of PSP, which typically manifest in most individuals within 30 minutes of ingesting contaminated seafood.
According to the FDA, PSP intoxication can lead to several symptoms, including respiratory paralysis, numbness in limbs, tingling in the mouth, a sensation of “pins and needles,” a feeling of floating, and vomiting. Unfortunately, there is no known antidote for PSP intoxication. However, patients can receive treatment through respiratory support and fluid therapy.
If an individual manages to survive 24 hours after consuming PSP, there is a high likelihood of a positive prognosis with no long-term side effects. However, in cases where PSP levels become too high, resulting in death, the individual typically passes away due to respiratory paralysis, leading to asphyxiation.
According to recent reports, there has been an outbreak of PSP in Oregon, with around 20 individuals reported to have fallen ill, and some being hospitalized. However, other sources suggest the number of affected individuals is closer to 31. Those who have been confirmed as ill reported having harvested mussels recreationally in Oregon. An official from the state’s Fish and Wildlife Department has linked the outbreak to a “very large” algal bloom, which has resulted in “unprecedented levels” of PSP toxins.
The recreational shellfish harvesting along the Oregon coastline has been completely shut down by the state officials. Meanwhile, in Washington, Grays Harbor and Willapa Bay have been closed to harvesting due to the presence of high levels of toxins. It is worth noting that no reported illnesses have been linked to the outbreak in Washington so far.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) acknowledges that while various factors are known to cause harmful algal blooms, the exact process of how these factors combine to create the bloom remains unclear.
The frequency and occurrence of these incidents have escalated, and they are now happening in areas that were previously unaffected, according to the agency. The reason behind this is the impact of climate change and the rise in nutrient pollution. The agency has highlighted that human activities are also playing a significant role in the disruption of ecosystems, leading to these occurrences.