WASHINGTON — Paralytic shellfish poisoning found in shellfish along the Oregon Coast has been found along the Washington coast, state officials reported Wednesday.
Last week, after at least 20 people became sick and high levels of paralytic shellfish poison (PSP) were found in mussels, razor clams and bay clams, Oregon officials closed the harvesting of mussels along the entire Oregon Coast and other shellfish for large stretches of the coastline.
On Wednesday, the Washington State Department of Health reported that high levels of PSP were found in shellfish along the Washington Coast, calling it "part of a broader PSP occurrence along the Oregon coast."
Though officials said there haven't been any reports of people becoming sick due to shellfish harvesting in Washington, due to the high levels of PSP, all recreational shellfish harvesting along the Washington Coast is now prohibited, including in Grays Harbor and Willapa Bay. In Willapa Bay, located north of Astoria, Oregon, some shellfish lots harvested between May 26-30 have been recalled.
"We are working around the clock to notify and collaborate with the affected shellfish growers in Willapa Bay," said Dani Toepelt, shellfish licensing and certification manager for the Washington State Department of Health. "The industry is doing everything they can to get through this PSP event and protect shellfish consumers from getting sick."
Current closure information for shellfish closures in Washington state can be found at the Washington Shellfish Safety Map or by calling the biotoxin/red tide hotline at 1-800-562-5632.
Last week, the Oregon Department of Agriculture and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife warned that mussels, razor clams and bay clams may have high levels of the marine biotoxins that cause paralytic shellfish poison.
At least 20 people became sick after eating mussels gathered two weekends ago at Short Beach near Oceanside in Tillamook County and at Hug Point near Seaside in Clatsop County, according to the Oregon Health Authority (OHA). An unknown number were hospitalized, but the OHA said last week there were no reported deaths.
The patients reported symptoms of paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP), which can cause numbness of the mouth and lips, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, weakness and in severe cases shortness of breath or irregular heartbeat.
Anyone who experiences any these symptoms should immediately contact a health care provider or call the Oregon Poison Center for advice at 800-222-1222, according to OHA.
