Clatsop County Public Health Alert: Multiple reports of Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP)

Multiple reports of Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning have been made on the Oregon coast.

Throw away any mussels picked since Saturday from Washington border to Seal Rock State Recreation Site south of Newport, OR. Cooking/freezing the mussels does NOT kill toxins.Signs of illness usually appear 30–60 minutes after a person eats toxic shellfish and include numbness and tingling of the face, lips, tongue, arms and legs. People also might have diarrhea and vomiting, headache, and nausea.Severe cases are associated with ingestion of large doses of toxin. People may have poor muscle control, clumsiness or slurred speech, difficulty swallowing, loose or floppy limbs, mental status changes, and respiratory failure.Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning can be deadly, especially for children. Appropriate medical care can lessen the risk of death.Do NOT feed to pets.

If you ate mussels and feel ill, get medical help immediately.