Thurston County, Washington

UPDATED PHONE SCAM ALERT

Scam calls and emails are impersonating county employees and services: Permitting, Courts, Pretrial staff and Sheriff's Office deputies. Court staff don't call jurors, and Sheriff's deputies do not collect fines by phone. Report scams to Thurston County Sheriff's non-emergency line at 360-704-2740 and you can verify your Jury Service by clicking here. Click here for office or department contact info.

The content on the Thurston County website is currently provided in English. We are providing the “Translation” for approximately 10 languages. The goal of the translation is to provide visitors with limited English proficiency to access information on the website in other languages. The translations do not translate all types of documents, and it may not give you an exact translation all the time. The translations are made through an automated process, which may not result in accurate or precise translations, particularly of technical and legal terminology.
County Contacts
Logo

Thurston County Washington

Shellfish Harvest Biotoxin Closure

January 14, 2025
Thurston County Full Color Logo

Shellfish Harvest Biotoxin Closure

CONTACT:  Renae Miller, Public Information Supervisor, Thurston County Public Health and Social Services, (360) 463-0362 or renae.miller@co.thurston.wa.us 

Dr. Jen Freiheit, Director, Thurston County Public Health and Social Services

Marine biotoxin that causes Diarrhetic Shellfish Poisoning (DSP) detected at unsafe levels in shellfish in Henderson Inlet.  

OLYMPIA – High levels of the biotoxin which produces diarrhetic shellfish poisoning (DSP) were detected in shellfish at unsafe levels, prompting closure of recreational shellfish harvesting for all species in Henderson Inlet.

Biotoxins are produced by naturally occuring plankton which can become concentrated in shellfish. Biotoxins do not harm shellfish but can cause illness or death in humans and other mammals that eat them. Cooking does not destroy the toxin and does not make the shellfish safe to eat. Diarrhetic Shellfish Poisoning causes nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhea. Learn more about shellfish safety at: Shellfish Protection District | Thurston County

Harvesters should always check the shellfish safety map found online at www.doh.wa.gov/community-and-environment/shellfish/recreational-shellfish  or by calling 1-800-562-5632 for a recorded hotline of biotoxin closures. More information is available on the website. 

 

-30-

Public Health and Social Services
Press Release
Announcements, Closures, Health