HomeMy WebLinkAbout062525 email - Press Release from Jefferson County Public Health_ Discovery Bay Closed for ShellfishingPort Townsend, WA. Recent shellfish samples taken from Discovery Bay contained elevated levels of the marine biotoxin that causes Diarrhetic Shellfish Poisoning (DSP). As a result, the
Washington State Department of Health has closed Discovery Bay beaches for recreational shellfish harvest for all shellfish species. Danger signs have been posted at public access points
warning people not to consume shellfish from this area.
DSP can cause gastrointestinal illness when shellfish, contaminated with toxins from the naturally occurring marine plankton Dinophysis, are eaten. DSP toxin isn't destroyed by cooking
or freezing. Symptoms of DSP include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. The onset of symptoms can range from thirty minutes to four hours after consumption. If mild symptoms
occur, call your health care provider and Jefferson County Public Health at 360-385-9400. For severe reactions call 911. Additional information regarding DSP can be found at www.doh.wa.gov/Community
andEnvironment/Shellfish/RecreationalShellfish/Illnesses/Biotoxins/DiarrheticShellfishPoisoning <https://www.doh.wa.gov/CommunityandEnvironment/Shellfish/RecreationalShellfish/Illnesses/Biotoxins/Dia
rrheticShellfishPoisoning> .
The Discovery Bay closure comes one day after a similar closure in Sequim Bay. To find out which areas are safe to harvest shellfish in Washington, as well as the Washington Department
of Fish & Wildlife (WDFW) harvesting seasons and rules, please check the map at www.doh.wa.gov/ShellfishSafety.htm <https://www.doh.wa.gov/ShellfishSafety.htm> or call the Biotoxin
Hotline at 1-800-562-5632. The status of beaches changes often, so check frequently for the latest conditions. For the latest information on regulations and seasons, visit wdfw.wa.gov/places-to-go/s
hellfish-beaches or call WDFW Fish Program customer service at 360-902-2700.
To read the press release on our website, visit: <https://jeffersoncountypublichealth.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=1509> Discovery Bay Closed for Shellfishing <https://jeffersoncountypublichealth.org/Ci
vicAlerts.aspx?AID=1557>
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Jordan Carter
Gender Pronouns: she/her/hers
Communications Specialist
Jefferson County Public Health
615 Sheridan Street
Port Townsend, WA 98368
Main: 360-385-9400
Direct: 360-379-4478
jcarter@co.jefferson.wa.us | https://jeffersoncountypublichealth.org/ <https://jeffersoncountypublichealth.org/>
<https://www.instagram.com/jeffcopublichealth_wa/> <https://www.facebook.com/jeffersoncountypublichealth/>
Always Working for a Safer and Healthier Jefferson County
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