County Officials Warn Against Eating Sport-Harvested Shellfish Amid Quarantine

SAN DIEGO, CA — County health officials are warning residents not to eat sport-harvested mussels, clams, scallops or oysters unless the shellfish were purchased from a state-certified commercial harvester or dealer.

The California Department of Public Health's annual quarantine on sport-harvested mussels began this month and remains in effect through Oct. 31 along the entire California coast, including bays and estuaries.

"Toxins such as domoic acid and saxitoxin can build up in mussels along the coast, especially in summer months, and can cause severe poisoning," said Dr. Sayone Thihalolipavan's the county's public health officer.

"People can become seriously ill if they eat recreationally harvested mussels during this period," Thihalolipavan said. "Cooking does not destroy the toxins, and there is no treatment or antidote. These naturally occurring toxins can cause illness or even death."

Symptoms can appear within 30 minutes to 24 hours after consumption and may include vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, dizziness and headache. Severe cases can cause breathing difficulties, confusion, disorientation, seizures, memory loss, coma or death.

During the quarantine, sport-harvested mussels may only be used as bait.

The warning applies only to recreationally harvested shellfish. Mussels, clams, scallops and oysters sold in stores and restaurants are considered safe because commercial shellfish are subject to mandatory state testing for toxins.

More information is available through the county's Department of Environmental Health and Quality and the California Department of Public Health's Shellfish Information Line at 800-553-4133.