FDA warns consumers of toxic shellfish from Oregon and Washington

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning on Monday, June 10, against the consumption of some shellfish from Oregon and Washington. According to the FDA, eating them could lead to potentially deadly paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP). The advisory from the FDA comes as at least 31 people have reported the illness, but no deaths have been reported to date.

The oysters and clams in question were harvested in Netarts Bay and Tillamook Bay, Oregon, on or after May 28. In Washington, it includes all shellfish species in the area of Willapa Bay harvested between May 26 and May 30. The harvesting areas have now been closed.

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The closures are a blow to the harvesting industry, which generates around $270 million a year in the regions, employing around 3,200 people.

The shellfish were distributed to Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Nevada, New York, Oregon and Washington. The FDA has advised restaurant owners and consumers to avoid consumption or selling the shellfish, and to throw them out.

The FDA reported that the shellfish were contaminated with toxins produced by the algae they feed on in the water.

Oregon wildlife officials said that a “very large” algal bloom caused “unprecedented levels of PSP toxins” along the coast. The officials added that some blooms can become toxic from poor water circulation, high water temperatures, floods, droughts and hurricanes.

Oregon experts said that it may take months or even a year for toxin levels to go down in the shellfish, depending on the type of species.

Health experts say that if a person eats contaminated seafood, PSP symptoms can begin within as little as 30 minutes. The symptoms of PSP range from tingling of the mouth, tongue and lips, vomiting and even respiratory paralysis.

Treatment for severe cases may involve ventilators to help with breathing. In deadly cases, the cause of death is usually asphyxiation. However, health officials say that patients who survive 24 hours with or without breathing support usually make a fully recover with no long-term problems.

If an individual shows signs of PSP, they should call their doctor. Authorities also said that cooking or freezing contaminated shellfish does not eliminate the toxins and does not make the food safe to eat.