County health officials are reminding people not to eat sport-harvested mussels, clams, scallops or oysters unless they were purchased from a state-certified commercial shellfish harvester or dealer.
The California Department of Public Health’s annual quarantine of sport-harvested mussels is in effect through Oct. 31. The quarantine covers the entire California coast, including all bays and estuaries.
“Toxins such as domoic acid and saxitoxin can build up in mussels along the coast, especially in summer months, and can cause severe poisoning,” said Dr. Sayone Thihalolipavan, M.D., M.P.H., County public health officer “People can become seriously ill if they eat recreationally harvested mussels during this period. Cooking does not destroy the toxins, and there is no treatment or antidote. These naturally occurring toxins can cause illness or even death.”
Symptoms of paralytic shellfish and domoic acid poisoning, also known as amnesic shellfish poisoning, can begin within 30 minutes to 24 hours after eating contaminated seafood. Mild symptoms may include vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, headache, and dizziness. Severe symptoms may include difficulty breathing, confusion, disorientation, cardiovascular instability, seizures, excessive bronchial secretions, permanent loss of short-term memory, coma or death.
During the quarantine, sport-harvested mussels may only be used as bait.
These regulations apply only to sport harvested mussels. Shellfish sold in stores or restaurants, such as mussels, clams, scallops, or oysters, are safe when purchased from state-certified harvesters or dealers. Commercial shellfish must undergo frequent mandatory state testing to monitor for toxins.
More information is available from the County’s Department of Environmental Healthy and Quality. The California Department of Public Health also operates a toll-free Shellfish Information Line at (800) 553-4133 and provides updates on CDPH Marine Biotoxin Monitoring web page.
