WHATCOM COUNTY, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Recent recreational shellfish harvesting closures in Washington have led to new warnings from the FDA.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration says consumers should avoid eating shellfish from Oregon and Washington as they may be contaminated with biotoxins. State health officials in Oregon say at least 31 people have been sickened so far.

The warning says to avoid shellfish harvested from Netarts and Tillamook bays in Oregon since May 28, as well as shellfish harvested from areas around Willapa Bay in Washington since May 26.

They may be contaminated with high levels of paralytic shellfish poisoning, or PSP, a naturally occurring toxin produced by algae. Coastlines across Oregon and Washington are now closed for shellfish harvesting.

Whatcom County’s harvesting areas were shut down by state health officials on May 24.

People who eat shellfish contaminated with high levels of PSP usually start feeling ill within 30 to 60 minutes. Symptoms include numbness of the mouth and lips, vomiting, diarrhea, shortness of breath and irregular heartbeat in severe cases.

 

Dianna Hawryluk from MyBellinghamNow.com contributed to this report.