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PSP in Washington State
In recent years, DOH has received 0–7 reports of
paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) annually. Throughout
the year, the DOH Shellfish Program routinely tests
Washington shellfish beds for the presence of marine
biotoxins. Areas are closed to harvesting when toxin levels
in shellfish exceed 80 µg/100 g. The DOH 24-hour PSP
hotline (1-800-562-5632) provides information on shellfish
harvest areas closed due to marine biotoxins. Most
paralytic shellfish poisoning cases occur in individuals or
small groups gathering shellfish from areas closed to
recreational (non-commercial) shell fishing.
Purpose of Reporting and
Surveillance
- To identify whether the source of transmission is a
major pubic health concern (e.g., a commercial shellfish
product or recreational harvest area) and to prevent further
transmission from such sources.
- To identify others who shared the exposure and educate
them regarding symptoms of paralytic shellfish poisoning to
facilitate rapid diagnosis.
- When the source is a
risk to only a few individuals (e.g., shellfish harvested
from an area closed to harvesting), to inform those
individuals how they can reduce their risk of future
exposure.
Legal Reporting Requirements
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Health care
providers: immediately notifiable to local health
jurisdiction.
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Hospitals:
immediately notifiable to local health jurisdiction.
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Laboratories:
no requirements for reporting.
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Local health
jurisdictions: immediately notifiable to the
Washington State Department of Health (DOH) Communicable
Disease Epidemiology Section (CDES) (1-877-539-4344).
Last
update
Jan. 2008 |
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