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Health Department Warns People Not To Eat Crab Caught Along California Coast

SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) -- The California Department of Public Health is warning consumers not to eat crab caught along the California coast after test results showed dangerous levels of a neurotoxin.

UPDATE 11/5: Toxic Algae Fears Force Delay Of Recreational Crab Season

The test results showed Dungeness and Rock crab between Santa Barbara County and the Oregon border contained dangerous levels of domoic acid, a neurotoxin found in toxic algae blooms.

The warning said the high levels of the neurotoxin "pose a significant risk to the public if they are consumed."

ALSO READ: Swimmers Urged To Avoid Russian River After Dog Dies From Toxic Algae

Ingesting the neurotoxin can make people extremely sick, and cause death in the worst cases. Symptoms of domoic acid poisoning may include vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, headache and dizziness and can occur within 30 minutes to 24 hours after eating the toxic seafood.

The warning will likely lead to a delay in the start of the crab season, which was scheduled for November 15.

 

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