Clatsop County Health Alert: Multiple Reports of Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP) | News

There have been several reports of paralytic mussel poisoning along the Oregon coast.

• Discard all mussels picked since Saturday by Washington border to Seal Rock State recreation area south of Newport, Oregon.
• Cooking/freezing the mussels does NOT kill the toxins.
• Signs of illness usually appear 30-60 minutes after eating poisonous shellfish and include numbness and tingling in the face, lips, tongue, arms and legs. Sufferers may also experience diarrhea and vomiting, headache and nausea.
• Severe cases are associated with ingestion of large doses of poison. Sufferers may experience poor muscle control, clumsiness or slurred speech, difficulty swallowing, limp or flaccid limbs, changes in mental status, and respiratory arrest.
• Paralytic mussel poisoning can be fatal, especially for children. Appropriate medical care can reduce the risk of death.
• DO NOT feed to pets.

If you eat mussels and feel sick, seek medical attention immediately.