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| You are here: DOH Home » EH Home » OSWP » Biotoxin Program » Okadaic Acid (DSP) Fact Sheet |
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• OSWP home page Kn ow beforeyou dig! Check for recreational shellfish beach closures: • Closures bulletin (text version of closures, listed by county) • "Clickable maps" (view status of recreational beaches on maps)
• Shellfish Safety Hotline • Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning• Other shellfish safety information • Commercial Shellfish Program • Growing Area Classification Program • Find your local health department • Alternate file format Information
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Okadaic Acid and Diarrhetic Shellfish Poisoning (DSP) What is okadaic
acid? What types of
shellfish are affected? How do shellfish become contaminated
with DSP? |
The dinoflagellate
Photo courtesy of
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What causes unsafe levels of DSP? Although DSP has been a problem in European countries for some time, this is an emerging health threat for Washington. New information will be shared as it becomes available. Can I tell if the shellfish are toxic by the way they look? No. Shellfish containing toxic levels of DSP do not look or taste any different from shellfish that are safe to eat. Laboratory testing of shellfish meat is the only known method of detecting DSP. What are the symptoms of DSP? DSP causes nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea, with diarrhea being the most commonly reported symptom. Does cooking the shellfish make it safe to eat? No, DSP is not destroyed by cooking or freezing. How can I protect myself from DSP? We close areas where toxins are at unsafe levels. Before harvesting any kind of shellfish, check the Marine Biotoxin Bulletin , our Clickable Maps , or call the Marine Biotoxin Hotline at 1-800-562-5632 to find out what recreational areas are closed due to DSP. Signs are being developed to post at beaches that have DSP closures. Who is most at risk? Anyone who eats DSP contaminated shellfish is at risk for illness. The DSP toxin is non-lethal to humans. What should I do if I think I have DSP? If symptoms are mild, call your health care provider and your local public health agency. If symptoms are severe, call 911 or have someone take you to your family doctor. Are there any other illnesses associated with shellfish? Yes. There are other types of marine biotoxins found in the northwest called Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning and Amnesic Shellfish Poisoning. Harmful bacteria and viruses can cause intestinal upset (see Vibriosis in Shellfish). Some people can have an allergic reaction to shellfish. Where can I get more information? On current closures:
On biotoxins:
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