"Oregon Shuts Down Mussel Harvesting Over Shellfish Poisoning Concerns"
Oregon officials have closed the entire coastline to mussel harvesting and parts of the coast to harvesting other shellfish due to an unprecedented outbreak of paralytic shellfish poisoning, which has sickened at least 20 people. The outbreak is caused by saxitoxin, a naturally occurring toxin produced by algae. Authorities are urging people who have consumed shellfish since May 13 to complete a survey to help identify the outbreak's cause. Neighboring Washington has also imposed similar restrictions.