A death in Alaska consistent with paralytic shellfish poisoning was reported on Wednesday, July 15 by the State Medical Examiner’s Office.
While the individual who died had underlying health conditions, the primary cause of death was PSP exposure.
The state report said the individual who died consumed blue mussels and snails collected from a Dutch Harbor beach on July 4.
This was the first known PSP fatality in Alaska since 2010. Previous death recorded from PSP poisoning included one each in 1994 and 1997 and two in 2010, among over 100 cases of shellfish poisoning.
More information on shellfish harvesting and PSP is at dec.alaska.gov/eh/fss/shellfish/paralytic-shellfish-poisoning and dhss.alaska.gov/dph/Epi/id/Pages/dod/psp/default.aspx.
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