HomeMy WebLinkAbout061423 FW_ Press Release_ Discovery Bay All Shellfish Species Closure
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From: Liz Anderson
Sent: Wednesday, June 14, 2023 3:08:45 PM (UTC-08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada)
Subject: Press Release: Discovery Bay All Shellfish Species Closure
Good afternoon,
Recent clam samples from Discovery Bay were found to have high levels of the biotoxin that causes paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP), and the Washington State Department of Health has
closed Discovery Bay for recreational harvesting of all shellfish species. Jefferson County Public Health has posted the appropriate warning signs at public access points in Discovery
Bay.
Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning can be fatal. Illness is caused by eating shellfish contaminated with toxins from the naturally occurring marine plankton Alexandrium. The biotoxin is not
destroyed by cooking or freezing contaminated shellfish. Symptoms of PSP can appear within minutes or hours and usually begin with tingling lips and tongue, moving to the hands and
feet, followed by difficulty breathing and paralysis. Anyone experiencing any of these symptoms after consuming shellfish should contact a health care provider immediately. For extreme
reactions, call 911.
To find out which areas in Washington are safe to harvest shellfish, please check the Shellfish Safety map at www.doh.wa.gov/ShellfishSafety.htm <http://www.doh.wa.gov/ShellfishSafety.htm>
or call the Biotoxin Hotline at 1-800-562-5632. For the latest information on regulations and seasons, visit the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife website at wdfw.wa.gov/fishing
<https://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/> or call the Shellfish Rule Change Hotline at 1-866-880-5431.
To view the full press release on our website, visit: https://jeffersoncountypublichealth.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=1166 <https://jeffersoncountypublichealth.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=1166>
To view this on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/CtfKdzGsMg0/ <https://www.instagram.com/p/CtfKdzGsMg0/>
To share this on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=574321828212084&set=a.163387039305567 <https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=574321828212084&set=a.163387039305567>
Liz Anderson
Gender Pronouns: she/her/hers
Web/Digital Communications Specialist
Jefferson County Public Health
615 Sheridan Street
Port Townsend, WA 98368
Main: 360-385-9400
Direct: 360-385-9405
landerson@co.jefferson.wa.us <mailto:landerson@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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