The warning is out – Don’t eat Shellfish. That is, if it is harvested from Areas 14 or 16, (Oyster River south to Parksville, and the opposite side of the straight). The Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) warned of red tide, and beaches are closed as of Wednesday (June 11, 2008) for the harvest of bivalve mollusks which include clams, oysters, mussels, geoducks, scallops, and cockles.

Consuming affected shellfish can result in symptoms within half an hour including numbness or tingling of the lips and tounge later spreading to the fingers and toes. This can also lead to the loss of muscular coordination and paralysis and trouble breathing. In some cases, it can lead to death within 12 hours of consumption.

According to the DFO, as printed in the Comox Valley Echo, “…at the first sign of symptoms vomiting should be induced, a laxative should be taken, and water with baking powder or baking soda should be consumed. Medical attention should be sought as soon as possible. Cooking does not destroy the paralytic shellfish toxin.”