Public Health Advisory: Wild Mussel Poisoning

The provincial medical officer of health has received reports of six individuals who have had symptoms consistent with paralytic shellfish poisoning, caused by eating wild mussels in the last week. Wild mussels harvested from Halifax Harbour and Bedford Basin are the confirmed source for two of the individuals. One person has been hospitalized.

The Department of Health is warning the public that wild mussels harvested from Halifax Harbour and the Bedford Basin or any other restricted harvesting areas are dangerous and could be fatal if eaten.

The public is also advised to purchase mussels only from licensed vendors, restaurants, retail outlets and approved shellfish distributors. If you require information, call the Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture and Marketing at 902-424-1173.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada post warnings in areas where laboratory tests have identified the presence of unacceptable levels of marine biotoxins in fish or mussels. These areas are restricted and off-limits. Anyone found harvesting in the areas can be fined and/or imprisoned.

Cultured mussels and other mussels from approved areas are monitored for paralytic shellfish poisoning and are considered safe.

If you are planning to dig for your own shellfish or pick mussels, contact your local Fisheries and Oceans Canada office to be sure the area is safe.

Paralytic shellfish poisoning is a serious illness which happens when you eat shellfish that has accumulated dangerously high levels of toxins. These shellfish include mussels, clams, oysters, quahaugs and whelks. Cooking the shellfish does not destroy the toxins.

Symptoms of paralytic shellfish poisoning usually begin within five to 30 minutes after eating. They include:

• numbness and tingling around the lips and tongue
• numbness and tingling in the hands and feet
• muscle weakness, lack of muscle coordination
• slurred speech
• paralysis

These symptoms may lead to a coma, breathing problems and can be fatal. If you suffer any of these symptoms after eating shellfish, contact your doctor or emergency centre immediately.

NOTE: The following is intended for broadcast media.

The Department of Health has received reports of six people

with symptoms of paralytic shellfish poisoning in the last week.

The cause was eating wild mussels. In two of the cases, the

wild mussels were taken from Halifax Harbour and Bedford Basin.

One person has been hospitalized.

The department is warning that wild mussels taken from

restricted areas are dangerous and could be fatal. People are

advised to buy mussels only from licensed vendors, restaurants,

retail outlets or approved shellfish distributors.

Symptoms of paralytic shellfish poisoning include numbness

and tingling around the lips, tongue, hands and feet, muscle

weakness and lack of coordination, slurred speech and paralysis.