1 Hospitalized With Shellfish Poisoning From Marin's Dillon Beach

MARIN COUNTY, CA – The Marin County Public Health Department has confirmed one case of illness from paralytic shellfish poison, a toxin that can be found in mussels, clams and oysters.

The person ate mussels harvested on Sunday in Dillon Beach and went to the hospital with symptoms of shellfish poisoning, according to the department.

"The person is getting better," Public Health Officer Dr. Matthew Willis said in a statement. "Fortunately, the clinician was aware of the elevated PSP levels in locally sport-harvested shellfish and made a timely diagnosis."

Health officials warned the public about the toxin on March 7, after the California Department of Public Health found extremely high levels in a mussel sample from Chimney Rock in the Point Reyes National Seashore.

The sample contained about 37 times the "alert" level of paralytic shellfish poison, also known as PSP, according to the department. That is the highest level detected in Marin County in 20 years and could potentially be lethal.

Changes in water conditions, including temperature, flow and salt content, can cause the toxins to surge. In Marin, the highest levels of the toxin were found near Chimney Rock and areas north of Stinson Beach.

Symptoms of poisoning could include tingling, numbness, headaches, dizziness, nausea or respiratory problems.

In the last 90 years, there have been 542 reported illnesses and 39 deaths due to paralytic shellfish poison in California, according to state statistics.

Public health officials advised the public to avoid collecting shellfish until it is safe again.The warning does not apply to commercially-sold clams, mussels, scallops or oysters from approved sources, the department said.

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