Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning in North Carolina

• Initial (30-60 minutes post-ingestion): Tingling or numbness of the lips, tongue, face, and fingertips.
• Progressive: Numbness spreads to the neck and limbs, dizziness, headache, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
• Severe: Muscle weakness, loss of coordination, difficulty speaking and swallowing, a feeling of floating, and respiratory distress.
• Life-threatening: Respiratory paralysis, which can lead to death within 2 to 12 hours if untreated.

Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning is not transmitted directly from person to person. It is acquired solely through the consumption of shellfish (bivalve mollusks like mussels, clams, oysters, and scallops) that have fed on and accumulated toxins from specific species of microscopic marine algae. These algae produce potent neurotoxins that become concentrated in the shellfish's tissues without harming the shellfish themselves.

• Avoid eating shellfish from areas known to be affected by \"red tides\" or harmful algal blooms.
• Heed public health warnings and closures for shellfish harvesting.
• Only consume shellfish purchased from certified, safe sources.
• Do not rely on cooking, steaming, or freezing to destroy the toxins, as they are heat-stable.
• When harvesting recreationally, always check local advisories and never eat shellfish that look or smell suspicious.