Page "Pfiesteria piscicida" Paragraph 10

Pfiesteria toxins have been blamed for causing adverse health effects in people who have come in close contact with waters where this organism is abundant.

Since June 1997, the Maryland Department of Health and Hygiene has been collecting data from Maryland physicians through a state-wide surveillance system on illnesses suspected of being caused by Pfiesteria toxin.

As of late October 1997, illness was reported by 146 persons who had been exposed to diseased fish or to waters that were the site of suspected Pfiesteria activity.

Many of these persons are watermen and commercial fishermen.