Dangerous levels of paralytic toxins found in SLO County shellfish
The California Department of Public Health is warning people to avoid bivalve shellfish sourced from Humboldt and San Luis Obispo counties due to “dangerous levels” of paralytic shellfish poisoning toxins.
“The naturally occurring PSP toxins can cause illness or death in humans,” the Oct. 27 report said. “Cooking does not destroy the toxin.”
The CDPH advised consumers not to eat sport-harvested mussels, clams or scallops from the affected region.
This is a part of the annual mussel quarantine, the report said, which applies to all species harvested for human consumption along the California coast, bays and estuaries, and will continue through Oct. 31 at the earliest.
The warning does not apply to commercially sold clams, mussels, scallops or oysters from approved sources, the report said, because they are subject to frequent testing to monitor for toxins.
“PSP toxins affect the central nervous system, producing a tingling around the mouth and fingertips within a few minutes to a few hours after eating toxic shellfish,” the report said. “These symptoms are typically followed by loss of balance, lack of muscular coordination, slurred speech, and difficulty swallowing. In severe poisonings, complete muscular paralysis and death from asphyxiation can occur.”
More information on the shellfish advisory can be found by calling CDPH’s toll-free Shellfish Information Line at 800-553-4133.
This story was originally published October 28, 2022 at 3:22 PM.
