At least 20 people fall ill as Oregon experiences ‘unprecedented’ shellfish poisoning outbreak, US News reports

Authorities in Oregon have closed the entire state’s coastline to mussel harvesting following an “unprecedented” outbreak of shellfish poisoning.

At least 20 people have been affected by paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP), caused by saxitoxin, a toxin produced naturally by algae.

The state has also banned the harvesting of razor clams, bay clams, and oysters along parts of the coast.

“We have experienced a paralytic shellfish poisoning event in Oregon that we have never seen before,” said Matthew Hunter, shellfish program manager for the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, on Friday.

“The unprecedented nature of the outbreak was due to the number of species affected and the number of people becoming ill,” he added.

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and Department of Agriculture announced the closures on Thursday.

Toxins in shellfish were first detected at elevated levels on the state’s central and north coasts on 17 May, according to Hunter.

Health officials are urging those who have harvested or consumed Oregon shellfish since 13 May to complete a survey to help identify the cause of the outbreak and the extent of illnesses.

PSP is caused by saxitoxin, a toxin naturally produced by algae, as stated by the Oregon Health Authority.

People who ingest shellfish contaminated with high levels of saxitoxins typically start feeling unwell within 30 to 60 minutes, the agency explained.

Symptoms include numbness in the mouth and lips, vomiting, diarrhea, and in severe cases, shortness of breath and irregular heartbeat.

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There is no antidote for PSP, but severe cases may require mechanical ventilators to assist patients with breathing.

Authorities caution that cooking or freezing contaminated shellfish does not eliminate the toxins and does not make them safe to eat.

Officials in Washington state have also closed their Pacific coastline to shellfish harvesting, as shown on a shellfish safety map by the Washington State Department of Health.

The Oregon Department of Agriculture will continue testing for shellfish toxins at least twice a month, depending on tides and weather conditions.

Reopening a closed area due to biotoxins requires two consecutive tests showing toxin levels below a specific threshold, according to the agency.