Marine Intoxication

Disease Information

Marine intoxication includes:

• Ciguatera poisoning (via California Department of Public Health - pdf)
  
• Domoic acid poisoning (via Washington State Department of Health - pdf)
  
• Food poisoning from marine toxins (CDC Yellow Book - 2024)
  
• Paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP)
  
• Scombroid poisoning (Fish poisoning)
• Vibrio and Grimontia hollisae
  

Marine biotoxins are produced by algae or bacteria in the water and can become concentrated in shellfish, such as mussels, clams, oysters, and crab. Humans who consume shellfish containing biotoxins can experience a variety of symptoms depending on the type of toxin. Symptoms range from mild to life threatening and include:

• Nausea
  
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Dehydration
  
• Numbness of mouth or tongue
• Tingling of hands and feet
• Vertigo
  
• Lightheadedness
  
• Difficulty speaking or swallowing
• Respiratory arrest
• Death, if untreated
  

Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) tests shellfish along the Oregon coast regularly. Check the ODA website for current shellfish safety closures or call the shellfish harvest hotline at 800-448-2474.