Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture Tommy Irvin is alerting Georgians to the recall of shellfish from three Texas bays.
The Texas Department of State Health Services has closed Aransas, Corpus Christi, and Copano bays to shellfish harvesting and has issued a recall of oysters, clams and mussels. Shellfish harvested from these bays on March 1 or later are included in the recall.

Officials say that high concentrations of the Dinophysis organism, a type of algae, have been found in the area. Okadaic acid, a toxin produced by the algae bloom, can accumulate in shellfish tissue and cause diarrhetic shellfish poisoning in those who consume oysters, clams or mussels. Cooking the shellfish does not destroy the toxin.

Symptoms of DSP include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and cramping. Symptoms generally occur 30 minutes to 12 hours after consumption and usually last two to three days. DSP is not life threatening and typically does not cause long-term health effects.

The DSHS has not found any illness to be associated with this particular bloom, but advises that consumers not eat any shellfish from these bays that were purchased on March 1 or later.

“Our sanitarians will be checking all retail and wholesale food establishments for any of the recalled products,” says Commissioner Irvin. “Texas officials will continue to test the conditions of these bays and will determine when it is safe to reopen the areas for shellfish harvesting.”