A Washington Vibrio parahaemolyticus outbreak has sickened multiple people, according to the Washington State Department of Health. The outbreak is linked to oysters harvested in Samish Bay. The notice posted in the Shellfish Safety Map alert page says that there are multiple confirmed Vibrio illnesses. That bay is now closed to oyster harvesting. The closure period is for 21 days, but the closure may be extended if environmental test results of thermostable direct hemolysin (TDH) and TDH-related hemolysin (TRH) levels are in excess of 10 MPN/gram. The closure notice was posted on July 16, 2021. No one can harvest oysters in that Bay for the next 21 days, or when officials lift the closure. The number of cases "has already surpassed the highest number of cases ever recorded by … [Read more...]
Search Results for: vibrio outbreak 2017
Vibrio Shigella E. coli Outbreak Linked to Raw Oysters in California
A Vibrio Shigella E. coli and norovirus outbreak linked to raw oysters from Baja California Sur, Mexico has sickened at least 12 people in California, according to the California Department of Public Health (CDPH). Those twelve patients reported illnesses in February, March, and April 2019 after consuming raw oysters that were sold by restaurants and retailers in Los Angeles, Orange, Santa Barbara, and San Diego counties. The raw oysters were sold throughout the state. Lab testing was performed on isolates from eight cases. Officials identified Vibrio parahaemolyticus in three patients, Vibrio albensis in one, an unidentified species of Vibrio in one patient, Shigella flexneri serotype 1 in two patients, and norovirus. In addition, one of the people infected with Vibrio … [Read more...]
Foodborne Illnesses Increased in 2018 Compared to 2015-2017
Foodborne illnesses increased in 2018 compared to the period of 2015-2017, according to a new report by the Center for Disease Control for its Weekly Morbidity and Mortality Report for the week of April 26, 2019. The report states that this increase may are partially attributable to increased culture-independent diagnostic tests (CIDTs). CIDT identifies pathogens that were not routinely detected by other methods. During 2018, FoodNet identified 25,606 infections, 5,893 hospitalizations, and 120 deaths. The incidence of cyclospora infections increased "markedly," in 2018 because there were several large outbreaks associated with produce. And the number of illnesses caused by Campylobacter and Salmonella remain high. FoodNet surveils the population for lab-diagnosed infections … [Read more...]
Learn About Raw Oysters and Vibriosis
Raw oysters are usually consumed in the summer months. But that particular type of seafood is linked to a disease called vibriosis that can make you very sick. Vibrio bacteria grow naturally in salt water. The three main strains of disease-causing vibrio bacteria are Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Vibrio vulnificus, and Vibrio alginolyticus. About 80,000 people are sickened by vibrio bacteria every year, and 100 people die. Most of these infections occur during the summer months when the water is warmer. But global warming is increasing the growth of this pathogen and others, as the ocean waters warm. That is one reason why we are seeing vibrio outbreaks in Canadian oysters. It's important to know that, as with other pathogenic bacteria, vibrio does not change the taste, texture, smell, … [Read more...]
MMWR Examines Trends of Foodborne Illness Outbreaks From 2006 to 2017
The CDC is examining trends of foodborne illness outbreaks for 2017 and describes changes in incidence since 2006 in its Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) for March 23, 2018. Foodborne illness is a substantial health burden in the Untied States. In 2017, there were 24,484 infections, 5,677 hospitalizations, and 122 deaths attributed to food borne illness. Commander with the time period of 2014 to 2016, FoodNet, the Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network, showed that there was increase of infections with Campylobacter, Listeria, non-0157 Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC), Yersinia, Vibrio, and Cyclospora. This increased incidence may have resulted form the increased used and sensitivity of culture-independent diagnostic tests. At the same time, the … [Read more...]
Outbreak at Fager’s Island Shell Shocked Oyster Festival in Maryland
According to news reports, officials at the Maryland Department of Public Health are investigating a "stomach flu" outbreak among people who attended the "Shell Shocked" beer and oyster festival on November 4, 2017. That event was held at Fager's Island Restaurant in Ocean City, Maryland. The state health department is working with the Worcester County Health Department on this outbreak. There is no information posted about these illnesses on either government website. According to the Baltimore Sun, the restaurant was allowed to hold a similar event on November 11, 2017. At least 145 people were sickened in this outbreak. What is commonly known as the "stomach flu" is almost always food poisoning. No one has been sick enough to need hospitalization. No deaths are linked to this … [Read more...]
Vibrio Outbreak Associated with Tilapia From Seattle Supermarket
A Vibrio vulnificus infection has been diagnosed in a Seattle man, who cut his hand preparing tilapia that was allegedly purchased live on July 16, 2017 from Seattle Supermarket, according to Seattle - King County Public Health. The man got sick on July 17, 2017 and is still hospitalized. His wife got sick with diarrhea and abdominal cramps, also on July 17, 2017. She was not hospitalized and is recovering. Tilapia fish obtained from Seattle Supermarket tested positive for Vibrio vulnificus bacteria. All epidemiological and laboratory evidence collected so far suggest that tilapia from Seattle Supermarket are a likely source of this outbreak. This is the sec and occurrence of Vibrio vulnificus associated with live tilapia. Seattle Supermarket has a hold placed on the sale of all … [Read more...]
Another Food Poisoning Outbreak at Seattle Restaurant
Another food poisoning outbreak associated with the consumption of raw oysters has sickened people in Seattle, Washington. This time it's at the White Swan Public House at 1001 Fairview Avenue North. Six people from two separate parties got sick after eating raw oysters at the restaurant on June 30 and July 3, 2017. No laboratory testing has been done, and symptoms suggest fibrosis, but public health officials cannot rule out norovirus. Officials learned about the outbreak on July 6, 2017. Environmental health inspectors were at the restaurant on the same day. The press release states that, "No factors were identified that contribute to the spread of Vibrio, such as insufficient refrigeration temperatures or evidence of cross-contamination." Just like the outbreak at the … [Read more...]
Vibrio Outbreak at Salted Sea Restaurant in Seattle, WA
A vibrio outbreak at Salted Sea, ate 4915 Rainier Avenue in Seattle Washington has sickened at least three people, according to King County Public Health. Patients got sick after consuming raw oysters at that location. Two people from one dinner party got sick on June 9, 2017. Another person from a separate party got sick after eating raw oysters at that facility on June 17, 2017. Public Health was informed about the outbreak on June 22, 2017. One person has a laboratory confirmed vibrio infection, and two others have the same symptoms. An on-site investigation was conducted at the restaurant by environmental health inspectors. No factors were identified that would have caused the outbreak. Cross-contamination and insufficient refrigerator temperatures could have contributed to … [Read more...]
Outbreak at Rifle Rodeo in Garfield County, Colorado
Garfield County Public Health is investigating a possible illness outbreak among attendees at the Rifle Rodeo in Colorado. The county's Public Health Agency is investigating gastrointestinal illnesses among "several dozen" people who got sick after going to that event. The department began receiving calls on June 6, 2017 from people who had been experiencing nausea, cramping, and diarrhea. The Rifle Rodeo was a private event held at the Garfield County Fairgrounds on June 5, 2017. About 200 people were at the rodeo. Billy Harkins, Environmental Health Specialist with the Garfield County Consumer Protection Program said, "It appears that people became ill approximately six hours following the end of the rodeo event Monday night. We are still investigating the cause of the … [Read more...]
