Shellfish poisoning warnings issued
The Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department issued warnings Friday about eating shellfish from several Pierce County beaches after an outbreak of paralytic shellfish poisoning.
The department posted signs in affected areas, including along Ruston Way and at Dash Point County Park, Browns Point Park, Owen Beach, Point Defiance boathouse, Narrows Park, Day Island marina, Wollochet Bay boat launch, Fox Island bridge, Solo Beach, Saltars Point and Sunrise Beach County Park.
People should not eat shellfish from these areas. That includes clams, oysters, mussels, scallops and other species of mollusks. Crabs and shrimp are not affected.
The department warned that the poison is not visible in shellfish and cannot be destroyed by cooking or freezing.
Eating infected shellfish can be fatal.
“Conditions are changing rapidly, and there will likely be more areas closed in the very near future,” the agency said in a release.
Recreational shellfish harvesters should call 800-562-5632 or go online to www.doh.wa.gov/ehp/sf/biotoxin.htm for the latest information about beach closures and other health warnings related to shellfish.
adam.lynn@ thenewstribune.com
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