Government of Canada - Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning
Paralytic shellfish poisoning is caused by ingesting a toxin (most commonly a saxitoxin) found in mussels, oysters or clams harvested from water where the toxin is present. Onset typically begins between 30 minutes and three hours after ingesting the contaminated food. Symptoms of poisoning include tingling, numbness, paralysis, nausea and vomiting. People can reduce their risk of poisoning by only buying shellfish from reputable sources.
Paralytic Shellfish poisoning present within a few minutes to 12 hours of eating raw or cooked shellfish or other seafood such as whole scallops, crabs and lobster which are contaminated with the toxin.
Symptoms vary depending on the amount of toxin ingested from the shellfish. Numbness or tingling or paralysis of the mouth, neck, face or extremities. Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain can also be present. Prickly, tingling or numbness in the fingertips/toes, dizziness or floating sensation, headache and sweating. In severe cases some people feel arms and legs numb or tingling, a lack of balance or coordination, incoherent speech, difficulty swallowing. Extreme cases can lead to respiratory muscle paralysis, arrest and death.
Typically, symptoms resolve completely within a few hours to a few days. In severe and extreme cases, individuals who survive for 24 to 48 hours usually recover without long-term complications.
Prevention Measures:
Health Canada recommends that children not eat lobster tomalley, and that adults restrict their consumption of lobster tomalley to no more than the amount from one cooked lobster per day.
• Educate consumers to purchase shellfish from reputable suppliers - all shellfish should have a tag verifying federal inspection.
• Advise travelers to exercise caution when consuming shellfish abroad.
• Educate consumers regarding raw and uncooked shellfish consumption
