Oregon health officials are asking the public to complete a shellfish survey following poisoning outbreak

State health officials are asking people who have recently harvested or eaten shellfish from the Oregon coast to complete a survey as part of an investigation into at least two dozen diseases linked to shellfish biotoxins.

On May 28, Oregon Health Authority (OHA) called on people to throw away mussels collected from beaches between Seal Rock State Park north to the Washington border after cases of paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) were reported to the agency. The shellfish were harvested from beaches in Lincoln, Tillamook and Clatsop counties.

Among other symptoms, paralytic shellfish poisoning can paralyze the breathing muscles.

The health authority is now asking people who have harvested or eaten Oregon shellfish since May 13 to get one short survey to help investigators identify a possible cause of the outbreak and how many people became ill. The responses are secure and confidential and will help OHA Public Health Division investigators learn more about the sources and extent of this outbreak.

Those who have already completed an interview with their local public health agency do not need to complete the survey.

Please contact Rosalie Trevejo (rosalie.trevejo2@oha.oregon.gov) or June Bancroft (june.e.bancroft@oha.oregon.gov) in OHA’s Department of Public Health if you have any questions or comments about the survey.

On May 23, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) and the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) Closed a stretch of the Oregon coast to the mussel harvest from Seal Rock State Park north to Cape Lookout due to high levels of PSP. The mussel harvest was closed extended from Seal Rock State Park north to the Washington border on May 26.

People who experience symptoms of paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) – numbness of the mouth and lips, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, and in severe cases, shortness of breath or irregular heartbeat – should contact a healthcare provider immediately. They can also get advice by calling the Oregon Poison Center at 800-222-1222.

PSP is a foodborne illness caused by saxitoxins produced by marine algae and caused by eating shellfish contaminated with the naturally occurring biotoxin, including scallops, clams, clams, oysters and clams, as well as some fishing and crabs, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. There is no antidote for PSP; treatment includes supportive care and, if necessary, respiratory support.

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