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The Florida Department Of Health Reminds Floridians Of The Risks Associated With Eating Raw Oysters And Exposing Open Wounds To Seawater And Estuarine Water
(posted: 09/14/10)
(posted: 09/14/10)
Page last updated: 09/14/10
Source: DOH Communications Office
Contact: Office of Communications
TALLAHASSEE?The Florida Department of Health (DOH) warns Floridians with certain health conditions to avoid eating raw oysters and exposing open wounds to seawater and estuarine water, which often harbor bacteria called Vibrio vulnificus that may cause serious illness. Vibrio vulnificus occurs naturally in the warm waters of the Gulf coast, particularly during the summer months.
Those most at risk for developing serious illness from Vibrio vulnificus are heavy drinkers with liver damage or individuals with liver disease, including Hepatitis C and cirrhosis. Other at-risk health conditions include hemochromatosis (iron overload), diabetes, cancer, stomach disorders or any illness or treatment that weakens the immune system. At-risk individuals are more likely than healthy people to become extremely ill from eating raw oysters containing these bacteria. People in these high-risk groups are also at risk of serious illness if they have wounds, cuts or scratches and wade in estuarine areas or seawater where the bacteria might be present.
Healthy people can also become ill from eating raw oysters containing these bacteria and from exposing open wounds to sea and estuarine waters, although their illnesses tend to be less severe.
Vibrio vulnificus wound infections typically cause swelling, pain, and redness at the wound site. Both gastrointestinal and wound infections may cause nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, fever, chills, and the formation of blistering skin lesions. Individuals experiencing these symptoms should contact a physician immediately for diagnosis and treatment.
This year-to-date, six deaths from Vibrio vulnificus infection have been reported in Florida. DOH is currently investigating the source of exposure for most of these cases; however it has been determined that at least two of the deaths were attributed to raw oyster consumption. Eight wound infections were reported; however, none of caused death.
Thoroughly cooking oysters, either by frying, stewing, or roasting eliminates harmful bacteria and viruses in the meat. Consuming raw oysters that have undergone a post-harvest treatment process to eliminate the bacteria can also reduce the risk of illness. Avoiding exposure of open wounds to seawater and estuarine water reduces the risk of wound infections.
The mission of DOH is to promote, protect and improve the health of all people in Florida. For more information about DOH?s Food and Waterborne Disease Program, visit http://www.doh.state.fl.us/Environment/medicine/foodsurveillance/FoodandWaterborneDiseaseProgramFinalIndexPage.html. Additional information is also available by visiting the Interstate Shellfish Sanitation Conference website at www.issc.org/Education/VibrioVulnificus.aspx or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website at www.cdc.gov/nczved/dfbmd/disease_listing/vibriov_gi.html.
http://www.doh.state.fl.us/CHD/Volusia/NewsReleases/091410-FDOHRawOysterWarning.html
Contact: Office of Communications
TALLAHASSEE?The Florida Department of Health (DOH) warns Floridians with certain health conditions to avoid eating raw oysters and exposing open wounds to seawater and estuarine water, which often harbor bacteria called Vibrio vulnificus that may cause serious illness. Vibrio vulnificus occurs naturally in the warm waters of the Gulf coast, particularly during the summer months.
Those most at risk for developing serious illness from Vibrio vulnificus are heavy drinkers with liver damage or individuals with liver disease, including Hepatitis C and cirrhosis. Other at-risk health conditions include hemochromatosis (iron overload), diabetes, cancer, stomach disorders or any illness or treatment that weakens the immune system. At-risk individuals are more likely than healthy people to become extremely ill from eating raw oysters containing these bacteria. People in these high-risk groups are also at risk of serious illness if they have wounds, cuts or scratches and wade in estuarine areas or seawater where the bacteria might be present.
Healthy people can also become ill from eating raw oysters containing these bacteria and from exposing open wounds to sea and estuarine waters, although their illnesses tend to be less severe.
Vibrio vulnificus wound infections typically cause swelling, pain, and redness at the wound site. Both gastrointestinal and wound infections may cause nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, fever, chills, and the formation of blistering skin lesions. Individuals experiencing these symptoms should contact a physician immediately for diagnosis and treatment.
This year-to-date, six deaths from Vibrio vulnificus infection have been reported in Florida. DOH is currently investigating the source of exposure for most of these cases; however it has been determined that at least two of the deaths were attributed to raw oyster consumption. Eight wound infections were reported; however, none of caused death.
Thoroughly cooking oysters, either by frying, stewing, or roasting eliminates harmful bacteria and viruses in the meat. Consuming raw oysters that have undergone a post-harvest treatment process to eliminate the bacteria can also reduce the risk of illness. Avoiding exposure of open wounds to seawater and estuarine water reduces the risk of wound infections.
The mission of DOH is to promote, protect and improve the health of all people in Florida. For more information about DOH?s Food and Waterborne Disease Program, visit http://www.doh.state.fl.us/Environment/medicine/foodsurveillance/FoodandWaterborneDiseaseProgramFinalIndexPage.html. Additional information is also available by visiting the Interstate Shellfish Sanitation Conference website at www.issc.org/Education/VibrioVulnificus.aspx or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website at www.cdc.gov/nczved/dfbmd/disease_listing/vibriov_gi.html.
http://www.doh.state.fl.us/CHD/Volusia/NewsReleases/091410-FDOHRawOysterWarning.html
