Shellfish Poisoning: West Coast Experiences Large Toxic Algae Bloom

Sea Lion experiencing seizures

from domoic acid, one of the

toxins, this created by diatoms. 

(photo from NOAA)

KUOW's Ashley Ahearn interviews NOAA's Vera Trainer on how the west coast, from Monterey Bay to Alaska, is being impacted by toxic algae blooms. Jerry Brochert with Washington's Department of Health notes "...all three types of harmful algae found in the Northwest are blooming at the same time." Ms Trainer believes commercially harvested shellfish "...are absolutely safe."

Nonetheless, consumers should be careful. Washington's Department of Health posts this warning on their web site:

Cooking does not destroy biotoxins
Cooking will kill the algae that produces the toxin, but the toxin itself is not affected by cooking and remains in the shellfish tissue.

There is no antidote for biotoxin poisoningVictims must wait for the toxins to naturally flush from their body.  Life support systems such as respirators and oxygen are used in extreme cases to keep the victim alive and stable.  See the links below for more information about poison symptoms of specific types of biotoxins.