What is amnesic shellfish poisoning?
Q: What is amnesic shellfish poisoning?
A: Amnesic shellfish poisoning is an illness caused by poisoning with a particular toxin called domoic acid.
Q: How do people get poisoned by this illness?
A: Shellfish accumulate this poison, and when they are eaten by people, the people get poisoned.
Q: What are the symptoms of amnesic shellfish poisoning?
A: The symptoms may be very severe: they include permanent memory loss, brain damage, and vomiting.
Q: When was this disease discovered?
A: This disease was discovered in 1987 in eastern Canada when many people got poisoned after eating shellfish in a restaurant.
Q: Can birds get amnesic shellfish poisoning?
A: Yes, birds can get this disease too when they eat poisoned shellfish.
Q: What measures are taken to prevent this disease?
A: In the United States it is illegal to catch and sell shellfish without a license. Caught shellfish have to be frequently tested. In the UK, all shellfish caught for restaurants or sale to the public are put in clean water for at least two days before being brought to market.
Q: Why have incidents of this disease occurred more frequently in recent years?
A: Scientists found that the incidents of this disease occur more frequently in the recent years, possibly due to changes in ocean environment or climate change.
