Annual Quarantine on Mussels in Effect

An annual quarantine on mussels taken by recreational shellfish harvesters is in effect until Oct. 31, public health officials said.

The six-month quarantine applies to all species of mussels taken by the public anywhere on the California coast, including all bays and estuaries, said Robert Williamson of the Ventura County Environmental Health Division.

The quarantine, however, does not affect commercially harvested mussels, Williamson said. Shellfish sold at restaurants and fish markets are continuously monitored by health officials and should be safe, he said.

Recreational harvesters of clams and scallops should also be careful and eat only the white meat, discarding the dark-colored organs before cooking, Williamson said.

The purpose of the statewide quarantine is to prevent paralytic shellfish poisoning, a disease that affects the nervous system. The disease, caused by a toxin, can lead to tingling around the mouth and fingertips within a few minutes to a few hours of consuming the tainted shellfish. These symptoms are typically followed by loss of balance, lack of muscular coordination, slurred speech and difficulty swallowing.

In severe cases, complete muscular paralysis and death from asphyxiation can occur. While there is no known antidote to the toxin that causes paralytic shellfish poisoning, medical care can help keep the symptoms under control. For more information, call the California Department of Health Services shellfish information hotline at (800) 553-4133.