What are the symptoms of Amnesic Shellfish Poisoning?
ASP symptoms include vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps within 24 hours of ingestion. In more severe cases, neurological symptoms develop within 48 hours and include headache, dizziness, confusion, disorientation, loss of short-term memory, motor weakness, seizures, profuse respiratory secretions, cardiac arrhythmias, coma, and possible death. Short term memory loss can be permanent. What should I do if I think I have ASP? If symptoms are mild, call your health care provider and your local public health agency. If symptoms are severe, call 911 or have someone take you to the emergency room immediately. What is the treatment? There is no antidote. The only treatment for severe cases is the use of life support systems until the toxin passes from the victim’s system. How can I protect myself from ASP? Prevention is the best protection. We regularly test shellfish for biotoxins and close areas when unsafe levels are detected. Always check for closures at www.doh.wa.gov/shellf
