Authorities in Russia’s Far East have issued an urgent public health advisory in the major port city of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, warning residents and visitors against consuming seafood caught in the waters of the Avacha Bay. The alert was triggered after scientific tests revealed dangerous concentrations of toxins in locally harvested mussels.
The contamination is a direct result of a massive harmful algal bloom, sometimes known as a ‘red tide’, that swept through the area in early August. Researchers have identified the culprit as the microalgae species *Alexandrium tamarense*, which produces saxitoxin, a potent neuroparalytic poison. Critically, experts emphasize that the toxin is heat-stable, meaning that cooking or boiling the contaminated shellfish will not eliminate the health risk.
Ingesting saxitoxin can cause Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning, with symptoms developing rapidly, sometimes within minutes of consumption. Telltale signs include a tingling or numbness around the mouth and neck, dizziness, muscle and joint pain, and difficulty swallowing. Health officials have strongly advised anyone experiencing these symptoms after eating local seafood to seek immediate medical attention.
A comprehensive monitoring program is now in effect across the Avacha Bay as scientists and authorities work to track the environmental situation and mitigate risks. The administration of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky affirmed that the safety of the public and the ecological wellbeing of the bay, a cornerstone of the unique Kamchatka Peninsula ecosystem, are its foremost priorities.