OHA asking anyone who recently harvested, ate coastal mussels to complete survey as recent illnesses investigated

(Update: OHA asks people who harvested, ate coastal mussels to complete survey

PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) — State health officials on Friday asked anyone who recently harvested or ate any shellfish from the Oregon coast to complete a survey as part of an investigation of at least 21 illnesses linked to shellfish biotoxins.

On Tuesday, Oregon Health Authority (OHA) urged people to throw out mussels gathered from beaches between Seal Rock State Park north to the Washington border after cases of paralytic shellfish poisoning were reported to the agency. The shellfish were harvested at beaches in Lincoln, Tillamook and Clatsop counties.

OHA is now asking people who harvested or ate Oregon shellfish since May 13 to take a short survey to help investigators identify a possible cause of the outbreak and how many people became sick. Responses are secure and confidential, and will help OHA Public Health Division investigators learn more about the sources and size of this outbreak.

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

Contact Rosalie Trevejo rosalie.trevejo2@oha.oregon.gov or June Bancroft june.e.bancroft@oha.oregon.gov of OHA’s Public Health Division with any questions or concerns about the survey.

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

People who experience any 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 immediately contact a health care provider. 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, mussels, clams, oysters and cockles, as well as some fish and crabs, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). There is no antidote for PSP – treatment involves supportive care and, if necessary, respiratory support.

For additional information:

• Washington State Department of Health’s FAQ page: https://doh.wa.gov/community-and-environment/shellfish/recreational-shellfish/illnesses/biotoxins/paralytic-shellfish-poisoning
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2024/environmental-hazards-risks/food-poisoning-from-marine-toxins
• Oregon Department of Agriculture Recreational Shellfish Biotoxin Closures: https://www.oregon.gov/ODA/programs/FoodSafety/Shellfish/Pages/ShellfishClosures.aspx
• Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife Shellfish and Biotoxins: https://myodfw.com/articles/shellfish-and-biotoxins#:~:text=Paralytic%20Shellfish%20Poisoning%20(PSP)%3A&text=People%20who%20eat%20shellfish%20that,occur%20within%20hours%20of%20consumption.
• Oregon Health Authority Fish and Shellfish Consumption Resources: https://www.oregon.gov/oha/ph/healthyenvironments/recreation/fishconsumption/pages/seafood-shellfish.aspx

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Earlier story:

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) – New shellfish closures are affecting the entire Oregon coast, the Oregon Department of Agriculture and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife announced Thursday.

This comes after the Oregon Health Authority announced that at least 21 people were sickened by Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP) after eating mussels recreationally harvested on the North Coast since last Saturday.

Mussel harvesting is now closed along the entire Oregon coast. Recent mussel samples taken from the coast exceed the limit for PSP, a natural marine biotoxin produced by some species of microscopic algae.

Current harvest closures and openings:

• Mussel harvesting is closed coastwide for elevated levels of PSP.
• Razor clamming is closed from Yachats to the California border for elevated levels of both PSP and domoic acid. It remains open from the Washington border to Yachats.
• Recreational and commercial bay clam harvesting is closed from the Washington border to Cascade Head for elevated levels of PSP. This includes all clam species in the bays. Harvest is open from Cascade Head to the California border.
• Crab harvesting remains open along the entire Oregon coast.

The ODA has also closed commercial oyster harvesting in Netarts and Tillamook bays.

ODA will continue testing for shellfish toxins at least twice per month, as tides and weather permit. Reopening an area closed for biotoxins requires two consecutive tests with results below the closure limit. 

For more information call ODA's shellfish biotoxin hotline at (800) 448-2474, the ODA Food Safety Program at 503- 986-4720, or visit the ODA Recreational Shellfish Biotoxin Closures Webpage.

On Friday, ODFW is hosting a 9:30 a.m. livestream with experts from ODFW, the Oregon Health Authority, and ODA on ODFW's YouTube and Facebook channels.

Contact ODFW for recreational license requirements, permits, rules and limits.