The State Department of Health is advising restaurants and food retailers not to serve or sell, and to dispose of oysters and bay clams harvested from growing areas in Netarts Bay and Tillamook Bay. This includes harvesting dates in Oregon on or after May 28.

In addition, the advisory includes all shellfish species from growing areas in Willapa Bay, WA: Stony Point, harvested from May 26-30, Bay Center, harvested from May 29-30, and Bruceport, harvested from May 29-30, because they may be contaminated with the toxins that cause paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP).

PSP is caused by neurotoxins, also referred to as saxitoxins or paralytic shellfish toxins (PSTs). Shellfish can retain the toxin for different lengths of time. Some species cleanse themselves of toxins rapidly, whereas others are much slower to remove the toxins. This lengthens the period of time that they pose a human health risk from consumption.

Food containing PSTs may look, smell, and taste normal. These toxins cannot be removed by cooking or freezing. Consumers of these products who are experiencing symptoms of illness should contact their healthcare provider and report their symptoms to DOH: https://health.hawaii.gov/docd/about-us/disease-investigation-branch/