Kratom Products, Shellfish Warning Issued

Every factual claim below was checked against the original public record. Source: original document ↗

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  Kitsap Public Health District Health Officer Dr. Herbie Duber issued a health update“Hello and welcome to my July Health Officer Update. This month, I will focus on health risks from concentrated kratom products, lethal levels of paralytic shellfish poison in Hood Canal, and updates from the Ebola outbreak in Africa.”
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  Dr. Herbie Duber warned residents about concentrated kratom products containing 7-OH“7-OH products are sold in just about every convenience store that you can find. When 7-OH is concentrated into products like gummies, pills, tonics, and vapes, it is significantly stronger – and more dangerous – than the kratom leaf itself.7-OH effects our bodies in the same way as opioids like heroin and fentanyl. Too much 7-OH can stop your breathing. Like other opioids, 7-OH effects can be reversed with naloxone (Narcan).From 2015 to 2025, reports of exposure to kratom increased by 1,200%, reaching record levels in 2025.”
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  Concentrated kratom products contain lethal levels of paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) in Hood Canal“null”
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  Dr. Duber noted that reports of kratom exposure to poison centers rose 1,200% from 2015 to 2025“From 2015 to 2025, reports of exposure to kratom increased by 1,200%, reaching record levels in 2025.”
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  Serious health effects from kratom exposure include hospitalizations“Serious health problems, including hospitalizations related to concentrated kratom products, are also on the rise.”
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  Washington state does not regulate kratom“As of January 2026, 30 states regulate kratom. Washington state does not.”
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  30 states regulate kratom“As of January 2026, 30 states regulate kratom.”
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  The DEA plans to classify high amounts of 7-OH as a Schedule I drug“Fortunately, the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) plans to classify high amounts of 7-OH as a Schedule I Drug. This is a huge step forward.”
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  Shellfish harvesting remains prohibited in Hood Canal“the Hood Canal remains closed to shellfish harvesting due to tests showing lethal levels of paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP).”
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  Lethal PSP levels are the reason shellfish harvesting is prohibited in Hood Canal“the Hood Canal remains closed to shellfish harvesting due to tests showing lethal levels of paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP).”
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  Residents are advised to check the Washington State Department of Health shellfish safety map before harvesting“I encourage everyone to look at the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) shellfish safety map before harvesting anywhere in the state.”