[MARINE_BIOLOGY_INTERNATIONAL] PARALYTIC SHELLFISH POISONING / Red Tide

PARALYTIC SHELLFISH POISONING CANADA: (BRITISH COLUMBIA) WARNING
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Date: 7 Oct 2010
Source: Benzinga.com [edited]
<http://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/10/10/m515269/cfiahealth-hazard-alert-certain-raw-oysters-and-mussels-sold-in-british->

CFIA/Health Hazard Alert: Certain Raw Oysters and Mussels Sold in British Columbia May Contain Paralytic Shellfish Toxin Audio clips available at <http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/corpaffr/relations/indexaude.shtml>

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is warning the public not to serve or consume the raw oysters and mussels described below because these products may contain paralytic shellfish toxins that can cause illness if consumed.

The following oysters and mussels, harvested from Subarea 15-4, are affected by this alert:
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Producer Product Size Lot code Harvest Date
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Albion Fisheries Ltd. Oyster N/Shell 5 dozen Albion Lot # OCT03/10
# 1906 Royal Miyagi XS 173668 & 173716
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Albion Fisheries Ltd Oyster N/Shell 5 dozen Albion Lot # OCT03/10
# 1906 Little Wing 173667
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Aquatec Seafoods Ltd. Mussels Various Landfile # OCT04/10
235011
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Taylor Shellfish Canada ULC Gallow Mussles Various Landfile # OCT03/10
DBA Fanny Bay Oysters 2405189
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These products were distributed to various retail and institutional clients in British Columbia.
Also, these products may have been sold in smaller quantities at some retail seafood counters. Consumers who are unsure whether they have the affected products are advised to check with their retailer or supplier.

There have been no reported cases of Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP) associated with the consumption of these products.

Paralytic shellfish toxins are a group of natural toxins that sometimes accumulate in bivalve shellfish that include oysters, clams, scallops, mussels and cockles. Non-bivalve shellfish, such as whelks, can also accumulate PSP toxins. These toxins can cause PSP if consumed. Symptoms of PSP include tingling and numbness of the lips, tongue, hands and feet, and difficulty swallowing. In severe situations, this can proceed to difficulty walking, muscle paralysis, respiratory paralysis and death in as quickly as 12 hours.

The shellfish processors are voluntarily recalling the affected products from the marketplace. The CFIA is monitoring the effectiveness of the recall.

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Communicated by:
ProMED-mail
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["Red tide is caused by several toxic algae.
Depending upon the toxin, it is also known as paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP), because it causes shellfish to be toxic for consumption.

PSP is a significant problem in several geographic areas, especially in both the east and the west coasts of the US. Produced by several closely related species in the genus _Alexandrium_, PSP toxins are responsible for persistent problems due to their accumulation in filter-feeding shellfish; but they also move through the food chain, affecting zooplankton, fish larvae, adult fish, and even birds and marine mammals.

_Alexandrium_ blooms generally do not involve large-cell accumulations that discolor the water and may instead be invisible below the water surface. Low-density populations can cause severe problems due to the high potency of the toxins produced._Alexandrium_ spp. can grow in relatively pristine waters, and it is difficult to argue that anthropogenic nutrient inputs are stimulating the blooms. These characteristics are important when considering mitigation and control strategies.

Often PSP is associated with red tides or algal blooms. Red tide is caused by an organism called _Karenia brevis_, which in high concentrations can make the water look red. The organism releases a toxin that paralyzes the respiratory system of fish and other marine life.

Airborne toxins, water spray, and splashes in an outbreak have kept people from beaches while leaving others with irritated eyes and throats.
Red tide irritates the skin of people exposed to it and can cause itchy eyes, scratchy throats, and coughs. Harvesting from affected areas for personal consumption is discouraged. Red tide poisoning symptoms include nausea and dizziness and may last for several days.

Previously the organism causing red tide was known as _Gymnodinium breve_, but it has been reclassified in the taxonomy of dinoflagellates.
Its new name is _Karenia brevis_, or _K. brevis_.
_Karenia_ was chosen in honor of Dr Karen Steidinger, a prominent red tide scientist from the Florida Marine Research Institute in St Petersburg, FL."

This moderator comment was borrowed from prior postings such as Paralytic shellfish poisoning - South Africa (W. Cape): red tide 20070325.1039). - Mod.TG]

[see also:
2007
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Red tide, aquatic mammals - USA: (FL) 20071231.4199 Paralytic shellfish poisoning, human - USA (ME) 20070802.2508 Manatee deaths, red tide - USA (FL) 20070403.112
2006
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Red tide, shellfish - USA (WA) 20060824.2388
2005
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Red tide - USA (TX) 20051002.2886
Red tide - USA (FL) (06) 20050925.2829
Red tide- USA (FL) (05): sea turtles 20050819.2437 Red tide - USA (NH, MA) (04) 20050626.1800 Red tide - USA (ME) (02) 20050622.1752 Red tide - USA (ME) 20050618.1718 Red tide - USA (NH, MA) (03) 20050612.1648 Red tide - USA (NH, MA) (02) 20050531.1508 Red tide - USA (FL) (04) 20050529.1493 Red tide - USA (NH, MA) 20050521.1406 Red tide - USA (FL)(03): human disease 20050329.0906 Red tide - USA (FL)(02): manatee deaths 20050311.0722 Red tide - USA (FL): alert 20050205.0400] ....................sb/tg/ejp/dk/ll

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