Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning illness confirmed

For instant launch: June 9, 2022   (22-081)

Contact: DOH Communications

Particular person consumed butter clams from space in Island County

OLYMPIA — Washington State Division of Well being (DOH) and Snohomish County Well being District have recognized a confirmed case of Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP) in a Snohomish County resident. The person skilled tingling and numbness of the lips, tongue, and extremities after consuming butter clams that have been recreationally harvested in Island County.

The butter clams harvested by the in poor health individual had PSP ranges over 5 (5) instances the allowable degree for harvest. Leisure butter and polish clam harvesting have been closed for PSP since 2021 in most of Island and Snohomish counties.

PSP could be particularly harmful as a result of:

• Butter and polish clams are recognized to retain marine biotoxins and will stay poisonous for years.
• Marine biotoxins can’t be decreased or destroyed by cooking, freezing, or cleansing shellfish.
• Excessive ranges of marine biotoxins don’t all the time discolor the water.
• Contaminated shellfish don’t look or style completely different than different shellfish.

PSP signs can happen inside minutes to a couple hours of consuming contaminated shellfish. Dying from PSP has occurred in lower than half-hour. Signs can embody:

• Tingling and numbness of the lips, tongue, and extremities.
• Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
• Lack of coordination, issue talking, issue swallowing, and complete muscular paralysis with respiratory arrest (in extreme circumstances).

Anybody who experiences these signs ought to see a well being care supplier instantly, or name 911 if their signs are life-threatening. Immediate medical care can assist the individual in the course of the momentary paralysis. Suspected PSP and different biotoxin diseases ought to be reported to your well being care supplier and native well being jurisdiction.

Butter and polish clam closure indicators are posted at public seashores all through Island and Snohomish counties. As well as, present biotoxin closures are listed on the Shellfish Security Map: Washington Shellfish Security Map. For a recorded checklist of areas closed for biotoxins, name the biotoxin/pink tide hotline at 1-800-562-5632. To study extra about marine biotoxins and marine biotoxin diseases, go to Marine Biotoxins | Washington State Division of Well being

The DOH web site is your supply for a wholesome dose of knowledge. Discover us on Fb and follow us on Twitter. Join the DOH weblog, Public Well being Connection. 

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