Raw shellfish is linked to a severe Vibrio outbreak in Connecticut, according to the Connecticut State Department of Public Health. Since July 1, 2023, three cases of Vibrio vulnificus have been reported. Those patients consumed raw shellfish or were exposed to salt or brackish water along Long Island Sound. The patient age range is from 60 to 80 years of age. All three patients were hospitalized, and one died. One patient reported eating raw oysters from an out-of-state establishment that was not named in the press release. Two of the patients reported exposure to the water in Long Island Sound. Both of those patients had pre-existing open cuts or wounds or sustained wounds during these activities. DPH Commissioner Manisha Juthani, MD, said in a statement, "The identification of … [Read more...]
Consumer Reports Offers Advice on Safe Seafood Prep and Care
More seafood is consumed in the summer months, especially raw oysters. Learn how to keep seafood safe with these tips. Consumer Reports is offering advice on the safe seafood preparation and care. Like all perishable foods, seafood must be handled carefully to avoid food borne illness. If you choose to eat seafood raw, you must be especially careful. Sushi, ceviche, and raw oyster consumption has been linked to foodborne illness over the years. In fact, earlier this month a man from Missouri died after eating raw oysters contaminated with Vibrio vulnificus. Last year, raw oysters were linked to a sapovirus outbreak. And a Salmonella outbreak linked to raw oysters sickened at least eight people in Florida, Georgia, and Alabama. These foods can be contaminated with pathogenic … [Read more...]
Dai One Food Raw Oysters Recalled For Possible Norovirus
Dai One Food Raw Oysters are being recalled for possible norovirus contamination, and restaurants and retailers are being asked not to sell or serve them, according to the FDA. The oysters are individually quick frozen raw oysters on the half shell in block form. the oysters were harvested between 2/10/2022 and 2/24/2022 and on 4/13/222 and 4/14/2022 from designated Area No. II in the Republic of Korea. The oysters were shipped from Korea to a distributor in New York and were further distributed in these states: Hawaii, Georgia, and Minnesota. The Hawaii Department of Health notified the FDA of five people who got sick from consuming raw oyster shooters at a restaurant in Hawaii on May 10, 2023. Traceback information found that the source for the raw oysters was that shipment by … [Read more...]
Missouri Man Dies After Eating Vibrio Contaminated Raw Oysters
A Missouri man has died after eating Vibrio contaminated raw oysters purchased from The Fruit Stand & Seafood located at 14433 Manchester Road in Manchester, Missouri, according to the St. Louis County Health Department. The serotype is Vibrio vulnificus. All remaining oysters have been embargoed, and anyone who bought oysters from that establishment recently should not eat them and should discard them in a sealed container. While this is not technically an outbreak because one person got sick, the illness is serious and a warning is necessary. The press release said that the oysters were probably contaminated when the establishment received them, and were not contaminated at the farmers market stand. Public health officials are trying to find the source of these oysters. The … [Read more...]
How Do You Know If You Have a Vibrio Vulnificus Infection?
How do you know if you have a Vibrio vulnificus infection? This illness, which has a 33% mortality rate, can be very serious. The bacteria is carried by raw seafood, especially oysters. Vibrio vulnificus can cause food poisoning, and it can also sometimes cause necrotizing fasciitis, otherwise known as an infection of "flesh-eating bacteria." There are several Vibrio serotypes that cause human illness. Vibrio vulnificus causes the most serious, and vibrio parahaemolyticus also causes illness, although it is generally less serious. Vibrio vulnificus is the leading cause of death linked to seafood consumption in the United States. It is commonly found in the Gulf of Mexico, in higher concentrations in the summer. This pathogen lives in warm seawater, especially water that is … [Read more...]
Raw Oyster Salmonella Outbreak Sickens Eight in FL, GA, AL
A raw oyster Salmonella outbreak has sickened at least eight people in Florida, Georgia, and Alabama, according to the Florida Department of Health. And a recall of oysters has been issued. We do not know the patient age range, illness onset dates, or whether or not anyone has been hospitalized. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services closed shellfish harvesting area FL-3012 in Cedar Key, Florida for the harvest of wild oysters on February 24, 2023. A recall of those oysters from that area that were harvested from December 16, 2022 to February 24, 2023 has been issued. If you bought these oysters harvested from that area, do not eat them, or if you sell them or own a restaurant, do not serve them, even if you plan to cook them first because of the possibility … [Read more...]
Raw Oysters Norovirus Outbreak Case Count Increases to 103 Sick
The raw oysters norovirus outbreak case count has increased to at least 103 sick, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). That is an increase of 12 more patients since the original outbreak announcement was posted on April 6, 2022. There is a norovirus outbreak in Canada linked to the same oysters that has sickened at least 300 people in five provinces. The states where ill persons live include California, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, Nevada, New York, Oregon, Texas, and Washington. The number of states in this outbreak has not changed. No recall has been ordered. The number of people sick is an estimate based on the information the government ha at this time. The CDC is working with state and local … [Read more...]
Norovirus Outbreak Linked to Raw Oysters Sickens 91 in 13 States
A norovirus outbreak linked to raw oysters imported from Canada has sickened at least 91 people in 13 states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The FDA has already released a bulletin telling restaurants and retailers not to sell the oysters. The number of illnesses is an estimate based on the information the government has at this time. The CDC is working with state and local partners to determine a more accurate number of illnesses in this outbreak. There is a norovirus outbreak in Canada linked to these oysters, with at least 279 people sick. In the United States, there are people sick in these states: California, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, Nevada, New York, Oregon, Texas, and Washington. … [Read more...]
Some Raw BC Oysters Recalled in Canada For Norovirus
Some raw BC oysters are being recalled in Canada for possible norovirus contamination. No illnesses have been reported to the company or the government to date in connection with the consumption of this product. The recalling firm is Pacific Rim Shellfish (2003) Corp. The oysters were sold to hotels, restaurants, and institutions. The recalled product is raw BC oysters that were sold by the dozen. The size of the oysters is variable. There is no UPC number on this product. The codes on the product are: LF 1402294 Subarea 14-8 Harvested January 31, 2022 Lot# 22020135. If you ate these oysters and have been ill with the symptoms of norovirus, see your doctor. If you have any of these oysters in your refrigerator at home, do not eat them. You can throw them away in a sealed or … [Read more...]
Raw Oyster Vibrio Outbreak in Canada Ends With 23 Sick
A raw oyster Vibrio outbreak in Canada has ended with 23 sick, according to Public Health Canada. One person was hospitalized because their illness was so severe. Vibrio parahaemolyticus is a naturally occurring bacteria that grows in coastal waters when the water is warm, as in the summer months. Most people get sick by eating raw or undercooked shellfish, especially oysters, in the summer. The case count by province is: Saskatchewan (1), Quebec (7), New Brunswick (10), and Prince Edward Island (5). People got sick between early July and late October 2020. The patient age range is from 11 to 92 years. This infection can be spread person-to-person, especially since some people can be infected and not exhibit any symptoms. People who are at most risk for complications from this … [Read more...]
