A Vibrio outbreak in Maryland is linked to fresh Venezuela crab meat that was sold in that state. The crab in question was sold under different brand names. The brand names for this Venezuela crab were not mentioned in the press release. The Maryland Department of Health is wanting consumers to avoid eating non-pasteurized crab meat because of this potential risk.
The fresh crab meat is sold in plastic tubs, with a label indicating that it was imported from that South American country. Crab harvested in the Maryland area is not associated with this outbreak, even though the waters of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries have contained this particular bacteria.
The Venezuela crab has been sold to individual households and to restaurant settings. It has been made into crab cakes, seafood salad containing crab, and crab Benedict, according to the outbreak notice.
Vibrio outbreaks are usually associated with raw oysters, since that shellfish, filter feeders, can take in the bacteria from sea water. Contact with Vibrio-containing salt water or brackish water can also cause this infection. None of the people sickened in this outbreak have reported contact with water as a likely cause of their illnesses.
The symptoms of a Vibrio parahaemolyticus infection include abdominal cramps and pains, nausea, vomiting, fever, chills, and watery diarrhea. At least nine people are sick in this outbreak. Two of those sickened have been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported to date.
Anyone who has recently consumed raw Venezuela crab meat and has been sick with these symptoms should see their doctor. The Maryland Health Department is investigating this outbreak luster and will provide updates as needed.
