Certain Seafood From Ventura County Coast Could Be Toxic, Health Officials Warn

VENTURA COUNTY (CBSLA.com) — Public health officials this weekend issued a warning to consumers to avoid eating certain kinds of seafood from the Ventura County coastline.

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) says recreationally caught mussels, clams, or whole scallops may contain dangerously high levels of a naturally occurring toxin, known as domoic acid.

The warning extends to the internal organs of lobster or rock crab that are also caught recreationally.

The toxin is also known as Amnesic Shellfish Poisoning and may cause illness or even death.

"This warning does not apply to commercially sold clams, mussels, scallops or oysters from approved sources," the CDPH said in a written statement.

Officials say domoic acid poisoning can occur within a half-hour to a day after eating the seafood.

Symptoms may include vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, headache and dizziness, the statement indicated.

No cases of human poisoning from the toxin are known to have occurred in California, according to the CDPH.

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