HONOLULU — The Department of Health issued a warning about potentially contaminated shellfish from Washington and Oregon. 

DOH said oysters and bay clams harvested from Oregon’s Netarts Bay and Tillamook Bay and all shellfish from Washington’s Willapa Bay may be contaminated with the toxins that cause paralytic shellfish poisoning. 

Molluscan shellfish contaminated with toxins from the water can cause illness in humans who eat them. Most of these toxins are produced by marine algae. Molluscan shellfish eat the algae, which causes the toxins to accumulate in the shellfish’s flesh. Often, contamination occurs after a toxic algae species blooms, but contamination is possible even if algal concentrations are low. Shellfish can retain the toxin for varying amounts of time. 

Shellfish with paralytic shellfish poisoning may look, smell and taste normal. The toxins cannot be removed by cooking or freezing the shellfish. 

DOH advises anyone who consumes shellfish and experiences signs of illness to contact their healthcare provider and report symptoms to DOH. 

DOH advises restaurants and food retailers not to serve or sell the potentially contaminated shellfish. The shellfish may be thrown away or the distributor may be contacted for return.

DOH’s detailed list of shellfish to avoid includes:

• Bay clams and oysters from Oregon’s Netarts Bay and Tillamook Bay harvested on or after May 28
• Shellfish from Washington’s Stony Point harvested from May 26 to 30
• Shellfish from Washington’s Bay Center harvested from May 29 to 30
• Shellfish from Washington’s Bruceport from May 29 to 30