News Flash

Public Health News

Posted on: August 31, 2017

Dept. of Health Urges Recreational Shellfish Harvesters to Follow ‘Three Cs’

20170831_CheckChillCook




August 31, 2017

For Immediate Release
Contact: Michael Dawson
Jefferson County Environmental Health
(360) 385-9444 ext. 301




Dept. of Health Urges Recreational Shellfish Harvesters to Follow ‘Three Cs’



Port Townsend - The Washington State Department of Health is urging recreational shellfish harvesters to take extra precautions and check, chill, and cook – the Three Cs – over the Labor Day weekend and into September.  20170831_Edouard_Manet_-_szd

 The combination of hot weather, low tides, and little rain have contributed to more than 10 reports of vibriosis illnesses from people who ate raw or undercooked oysters they collected themselves. Vibrio parahaemolyticus bacteria is found naturally in the environment and thrives in warm temperatures.

“The shellfish industry follows special control measures during the summer months to keep people who choose to eat raw oysters from getting sick. For those who enjoy collecting and consuming their own shellfish, it’s important that they follow a few simple measures to stay healthy,” said Rick Porso, director of the Office of Environmental Health and Safety.

Currently, the only waterbodies in Jefferson County that do not have a biotoxin closure are Oak Bay and Hood Canal, although a vibrio warning to cook all shellfish is posted throughout Hood Canal.

Before heading to the beach, people who gather their own shellfish should check the DOH Shellfish Safety Map to determine if any areas are closed. Shellfish gathered from open and approved areas should be harvested as the tide goes out, chilled as soon as possible, and cooked at 145 F for 15 seconds to destroy Vibrio bacteria.

Vibriosis symptoms include diarrhea, abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, headache, fever, and chills. The illness is usually mild or moderate and runs its course in two to three days.



###

Always Working for a Safer & Healthier Jefferson County

Other News in Public Health News

homeowner septic classes

Septic System Classes Offered

Posted on: May 17, 2023
Press Releases (2)

Anderson Lake Closed Due to Toxin

Posted on: April 21, 2023
2023 County Health Ranking

2023 County Health Rankings

Posted on: March 29, 2023
All Species Closure Clam Image

Discovery Bay All Species Closure

Posted on: March 22, 2023
Press Releases (8)

Quilcene Bay Shellfish Advisory Removed

Posted on: October 28, 2022
PSPQuilceneBay20221003

Quilcene Bay Shellfish Closure

Posted on: October 3, 2022
DSC_8351

Oak Bay Shellfish Closure for Biotoxin

Posted on: September 16, 2022
Press Releases (2)

Discovery Bay Shellfish Closure

Posted on: June 27, 2022
Press Release Anderson Lake

Anderson Lake High in Toxin

Posted on: April 29, 2022
Jefferson County Public Health Logo

Opioid Crisis in Jefferson County

Posted on: April 11, 2022
Free tests, masks

Free home test kits, masks

Posted on: February 15, 2022
Public Health Order Update

Public Health Order Update

Posted on: February 11, 2022
February Vaccination Clinics Social Media

Vaccination Clinics in February

Posted on: January 28, 2022
Jan 29 Vaccination Clinic

Vaccination Clinics on January 29

Posted on: January 19, 2022
Care-a-Van Coming to PT

Vaccination Clinics on January 22

Posted on: January 14, 2022
January Vaccination Clinics (1)

Vaccination Clinics Set for January 8 & 15

Posted on: December 27, 2021
20211005 North Beach Sewage Outfall Break Yellow Sign

Sewage Outfall Break at North Beach

Posted on: October 5, 2021
DSC_5462

Discovery Bay Shellfish Closure

Posted on: July 14, 2021
20210513_cyanobacteria bloom tim photo credit anderson lake

ANDERSON LAKE HIGH IN TOXINS

Posted on: May 13, 2021

DISCOVERY BAY SHELLFISH CLOSURE

Posted on: April 9, 2021
20171005_HealthInsSignup

WA Healthplanfinder's Open Enrollment

Posted on: October 5, 2017
ButtonLakeClosedszd

Gibbs Lake Closed Due to Toxin

Posted on: August 17, 2017