Citation

MMWR Morb. Mortal. Wkly. Rep. 1954; 3(39): 1-2.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1954, (in public domain), Publisher U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The California Department of Health, reports that 5 of 8 persons who ate mussels became Ill from 2 to 10 hours later. The general symptoms were numbness, and a tingling sensation around the mouth. One patient who was severely ill had paralysis of the arms and legs. Laboratory examination of a vomitus specimen from one patient showed it contained a toxin. Along the ocean shore line of California mussels may be toxic during certain months, usually May through October. A quarantine has been established of all mussels along the shore prohibiting the taking of mussels from this area except for fish bait, effective from May 1 to October 31, 1954. Mussels from one county showed no toxin early in July but when tested later at the end of August, there was a high toxin content.