Sacramento, California - The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) is lifting the health advisory that warned consumers not to eat certain types of seafood from the Ventura County coastline, due to dangerous levels of a naturally occurring toxin that can cause illness or death.

On October 10, 2014, consumers were advised not to eat recreationally harvested bivalve shellfish (such as mussels, clams or whole scallops), or the internal organs of lobster or rock crab. However, recent testing now shows concentrations of this nerve toxin, known as domoic acid, have declined to safe or undetectable levels. There have been no illnesses reported in connection with this event. 

Symptoms of domoic acid poisoning can occur within 30 minutes to 24 hours after eating affected seafood. In mild cases, symptoms may include vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, headache and dizziness. These symptoms disappear within several days. In severe cases, the victim may experience trouble breathing, confusion, disorientation, cardiovascular instability, seizures, excessive bronchial secretions, permanent loss of short term memory, coma or death. 

To receive updated information about shellfish poisoning and quarantines, call CDPH’s toll-free “Shellfish Information Line” at (800) 553-4133. For additional information visit CDPH’s Natural Marine Toxins: PSP and Domoic Acid Web page.