The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services on Friday confirmed this year's first case of paralytic shellfish poisoning, prompting state epidemiologists to issue their familiar warning: Eating personally harvested shellfish from Alaska's beaches comes with risks.
"A yearly reminder is good because it's so prevalent," Jason Grenn, DHSS spokesperson, said of paralytic shellfish poisoning, which is caused by eating shellfish contaminated with toxin-producing dinoflagellate algae.
Grenn said the most recent case of the toxin occurred April 24 after a person ate clams recently harvested in the Loring area, north of Ketchikan. Within 30 minutes, the person reported tingling of the lips and tongue -- early warning signs of paralytic shellfish poisoning, Grenn said.
The poisoning can result in death in as little as two hours, Grenn said. The person last week did not experience severe symptoms, he said.
Shellfish that can contain the toxins include clams, mussels, oysters, scallops and geoducks. The toxins cannot be cooked out, Grenn said.
All beaches where shellfish are harvested commercially are regularly tested for the toxin, but there is no widespread testing of beaches where shellfish are harvested recreationally. There is no way to tell if a beach is safe simply by looking at it, Grenn said.
Last year, DHSS confirmed three cases of paralytic shellfish poisoning, Grenn said. From 2009 to 2013 there were 44 cases reported, most tied to a 2011 outbreak in Metlakatla and Ketchikan.