Shellfish poisonings in British Columbia: Commercial product as source

Should we be concerned about commercially harvested shellfish in BC? Definitely. Three separate outbreaks of shellfish poisoning were traced to commercially harvested, government-inspected product in recent years. In 2010, a noro­virus outbreak that caused 36 illnesses among raw oyster consumers was attributed to commercial harvesters discharging vomitus overboard a boat within the harvest area.[1] In 2011, 62 people became ill during the first recorded outbreak of diarrhetic shellfish poisoning on the Pacific Northwest coast. In 2012, four linked cases of paralytic shellfish poisoning were reported.[2,3] 

The illnesses reported in both 2011 and 2012 were caused by marine biotoxins from bivalve shellfish harvested in approved open areas. Several patients experienced symptoms so severe they sought care in hospital emergency departments. Thus far in BC, marine biotoxin illnesses have been limited to paralytic shellfish poisoning and diarrhetic shellfish poisoning.

Prior to 2012, there had been no cases of paralytic shellfish poisoning linked to commercially sold shellfish in Canada for over 30 years.[4] Canada has an extensive, well-managed shellfish control program. Three federal agencies coordinate the Canadian Shellfish Sanitation Program: the Ca­nadian Food Inspection Agency, Environment Canada, and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans. 

Regulatory limits for toxins in the edible tissues of shellfish are set by Health Canada and include domoic acid (responsible for amnesic shellfish poisoning), oka­daic acid (diarrhetic shellfish poisoning), and saxitoxin (paralytic shellfish poisoning). Federal regulations require that bivalve shellfish be processed in federally registered facilities, be harvested in approved areas, and be tagged for commercial distribution such that batches can be traced from producer to consumer.

Shellfish poisoning was described as early as 1793, when one of Captain George Vancouver’s crew died and four others became ill after consuming mussels in Poison Cove.[5] The first Canadian cases of amnesic shellfish poisoning were documented on Prince Edward Island in 1987 among consumers of mussels.[6] Cases of paralytic shellfish poisoning and diarrhetic shellfish poisoning have been detected on both east and west coasts of Canada, while cases of amnesic shellfish poisoning have only been found on the east coast.[4,6] Monitoring for amnesic shellfish poisoning has been successful in Canada and elsewhere, with no cases reported since 1987 in any country with a monitoring program.[7] 

Marine biotoxins are produced by harmful algal blooms that can affect the waters where shellfish feed. Algal blooms are influenced by temperature spikes, introduction of nutrients and fresh water during spring freshets, and changing thermoclines, all of which are affected by anthropogenic activities (agriculture runoff and marine ballast water transfer) and climate change.[8-10] Changes in these factors over the last 30 years have impacted commercial shellfish in BC. Although shellfish are generally tested for marine toxins on a weekly basis, some sites are tested less frequently. 

Further, harmful algal blooms can develop in less than one week, so there is potential for contaminated shellfish to reach the marketplace despite extensive control measures. A review of the online Canadian Food Inspection Agency recall database indicates 17 marine biotoxin recalls in 2011–2012, four involving public warnings for paralytic shellfish poisoning and diarrhetic shellfish poisoning, and 13 directed to commercial retailers. Four­teen (80%) of the products were from BC waters, and three were from Quebec and New Brunswick. 

With recent cases reported along the Pacific Northwest coast, BC phy­sicians should be aware of the potential for shellfish poisonings to occur in both commercial and self-harvested products. Shellfish poisoning can lead to significant morbidity and possible mortality. Clinicians should report patients with shellfish poisoning to public health agencies in order to facilitate case identification, public health messaging, and harvest management (including product recalls and site area closures). Contact the British Columbia Drug and Poison Information Centre for inquiries around unusual toxic ex­posures (1 800 567-8911). 

As there are no clinical tests for toxic shellfish poisoning, diagnosis is based on symptoms and identification of toxins in leftover shellfish. Phy­sicians, working with their local health authority, are en­couraged to secure shellfish for testing to confirm diagnoses. In the case of suspected shellfish-related reactions, it is important to obtain a detailed history, asking about recent consumption and co-exposed indi­viduals. Patients should then be monitored closely for signs of neur­o­logical or respiratory compromise, and provided with symptomatic management. 
—Lorraine McIntyre, MSc
Food Safety Specialist, Environmental Health Services, BC Centre for Disease Control
—Tom Kosatsky, MD
Medical Director, Environmental Health Services, BC Centre for Disease Control

References

1.    McIntyre L, Galanis E, Mattison K, et al. Multiple clusters of norovirus among shellfish consumers linked to symptomatic oyster harvesters. J Food Prot 2012 Sep;75:1715-1720.
2.    Taylor M, McIntyre L, Ritson M, et al. Outbreak of diarrhetic shellfish poisoning associated with mussels, British Columbia, Canada. Mar Drugs 2013;11:1669-1676.
3.    Canadian Food Inspection Agency. Report to BC Centre for Disease Control. Paralytic shellfish poisoning. Illnesses in BC, July 2012. 
4.    Todd EC. Seafood-associated diseases and control in Canada. Rev Sci Tech 1997;16:661-672.
5.    Quayle DB. Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning: Safe shellfish. Fisheries Research Board of Canada, Biological Station. Nanaimo, BC. 1966.
6.    Jeffery B, Barlow T, Moizer K, et al. Amnesic shellfish poison. Food Chem Toxicol 2004;42:545-557.
7.    Lefebvre KA, Robertson A. Domoic acid and human exposure risks: A review. Toxicon 2010;56:218-230.
8.    James KJ, Carey B, O’Halloran J, et al. Shellfish toxicity: Human health implications of marine algal toxins. Epidemiol Infect 2010;138:927-940.
9.    Van Dolah FM. Marine algal toxins: Origins, health effects, and their increased occurrence. Environ Health Perspect 2000;108(Suppl 1):133-141.
10.    Fleming LE, Broad K, Clement A, et al. Oceans and human health: Emerging public health risks in the marine environment. Mar Pollut Bull 2006;53:545-560.