Oregon Health Authority asking people who harvested, ate Oregon Coast shellfish to complete survey

State health officials are asking people who recently harvested or ate any shellfish from the Oregon Coast to complete a survey as part of an investigation of illnesses linked to shellfish biotoxins.

On Tuesday, May 28, the Oregon Health Authority 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. The shellfish were harvested at beaches in Lincoln, Tillamook and Clatsop counties.

The Health Authority now is 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 to determine how many people became sick. Responses are secure and confidential, and will help the Public Health Division investigators learn more about the sources and size of this outbreak.

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

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