KING COUNTY, WASHINGTON - High levels of marine biotoxins that cause paralytic shellfish poisoning have been detected at concentrations above the safe level in shellfish samples throughout King County. As a result, the Washington State Department of Health has closed all beaches to the harvest of all species of shellfish in King County, including Vashon Island.

The closure includes clams, oysters, mussels, scallops and other species of shellfish. Crab is not included in the closure, but the “crab butter” should be discarded, and only the meat should be eaten. Fin fish found in these waters do not accumulate the toxins in their flesh.

Marine biotoxins are not destroyed by cooking or freezing and can be life-threatening. Symptoms of paralytic shellfish poisoning may appear within minutes or hours and usually begins with tingling lips, tongue, hands and feet followed by difficulty breathing, and potentially death. Any one experiencing these symptoms should contact a health care provider. For extreme reactions call 911.

The toxin is produced by naturally occurring “blooms” of microscopic plankton that tend to be more common during the warmer months of the year. The color of the water does not change and the plankton are invisible. To check the latest shellfish harvesting closures anywhere in the state visit the marine biotoxin website at www.doh.wa.gov/ehp/sf/biotoxin.htm or call the Department of Health Biotoxin Hotline at 1-800-562-5632.

In addition to the current warning, the Department of Health and the federal Food and Drug Administration earlier this month sent out warnings regarding the now six state outbreak of gastro-intestinal illness in persons eating raw or undercooked shellfish from Washington State (especially oysters). This illness is caused by Vibrio parahæmolyticus, a bacteria in the marine waters. The warning remains in effect. For more information, visit www.metrokc.gov/health

Providing effective and innovative health and disease prevention services for over 1.8 million residents and visitors of King County, Public Health – Seattle & King County works for safer and healthier communities for everyone, every day.

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