What are Amnesic Shellfish Poisoning and domoic acid?
• Amnesic Shellfish Poisoning (ASP) is an illness caused by domoic acid, a marine biotoxin. Domoic acid is a naturally-occurring amino acid found in some marine algae, including some species of diatoms. • Domoic acid can accumulate in a number of filter-feeding bivalve molluscan shellfish such as clams, mussels, scallops and oysters. What are the symptoms of ASP? • The symptoms of ASP vary from nausea, vomiting and diarrhea to muscle weakness, disorientation and memory loss. They usually occur 30 minutes to 6 hours after consumption. • If the poisoning is not severe, the symptoms disappear completely within a few days in an otherwise healthy person. • In extreme cases death can occur. There were documented cases of death from ASP. Where could I come into contact with ASP? • Most cases of illness from ASP are linked to the consumption of bivalve molluscan shellfish, such as clams, mussels, oysters and scallops, containing high levels of domoic acid. • Many cases occur from shellfish har
