Three North Carolina Vibrio deaths are linked to going into brackish water, but one patient also ate seafood harvested in those waters that was personally caught and not shared or commercially distributed. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) is urging caution. No links have been established between the cases or the areas where they were likely exposed to the pathogen. The press release did not state whether the illnesses were from Vibrio vulnificus or from Vibrio parahaemolyticus, but the were probably the former. Vibrio vulnificus infections are more severe, and one out of five patients infected with that pathogen die. Vibrio are bacteria that live in seawater or brackish water (which is mixed salt and fresh water). Anyone with open wounds, cuts, … [Read more...]
Raw Shellfish Linked to Severe Vibrio Outbreak in Connecticut
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...]
Seattle Oyster Vibrio Outbreak Associated With Eight Restaurants
A Seattle oyster Vibrio outbreak is associated with eight restaurants in that Washington city, according to a notice posted on the King County Public Health website. The meal dates for these illnesses range from June 28, 2021 to July 17, 2021. A least 12 people are sick. The restaurants are: The CrabPot at 1301 Alaskan Way; Crawfish King at 701 8th Avenue South, Damn the Weather at 116 1st Avenue South; Salty's on Alki at 1936 Harbor Avenue Southwest; Taylor Shellfish at 1521 Melrose Avenue; Emmett Watson's Oyster Bar at 1916 Pike Place; Walrus and Carpenter at 4743 Ballard Avenue Northwest #1b; and White Swan Public House at 1001 Fairview Avenue North. All of these restaurants are located in Seattle. The case count by restaurant is: The Crabpot (4), Crawfish King (1), Damn the … [Read more...]
Washington Vibrio Outbreak Linked to Oysters From Samish Bay
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...]
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...]
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...]
Vibrio Outbreak Linked to Fresh Crab Meat From Venezuela Ends; Lawsuits Possible
The Vibrio outbreak that was linked to fresh crab meat imported from Venezuela has ended, according to the FDA. As of September 27, 2018 26 lab-confirmed cases in seven states and the District of Columbia were reported in people who ate this product. Nine people were hospitalized. Illness onset dates ranged from April 1, 2018 to July 19, 2018. The FDA's Bacterial Analytical Manual states that "“A heat-processed product should not contain viable V. parahaemolyticus and if so, would indicate a significant problem in manufacturing practices or post-process contamination." The notice states that "Consumers and restaurants may want to consider using pasteurized crab meat or fully recooking (bringing to an internal temperature of at least 165°F) fresh crab meat, particularly for … [Read more...]
Multistate Vibrio Outbreak Linked to Fresh Crab from Venezuela Sickens 12; Lawsuits Possible
A multistate vibrio outbreak linked to fresh crab imported from Venezuela has sickened at least 123 people in Maryland, Louisiana, Pennsylvania, and the District of Columbia. Four people have been hospitalized because they are so sick. Illness onset dates range from April 1, 2018 to July 3, 2018. Ill persons range in age from 26 to 69 years. Epidemiologic evidence indicates that precooked fresh crab meat imported from Venezuela is the likely source of this outbreak. Whole genome sequencing shows that isolates taken from patients are closely related genetically. The means that people who are sick in this outbreak are likely to share a common source of infection. More people associated with this outbreak include some who ate crab and who had a positive test for Vibrio, which may or … [Read more...]
Vibrio Outbreak Linked to Venezuela Crab Sold in Maryland
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, … [Read more...]
Vibrio Cholerae Infections Associated with Herring Eggs in Canada
The First Nations Health Authority and Island Health is warning the public in Canada that confirmed cases of Vibrio cholerae infections have been reported in association with herrings eggs that are laid in the marine environment, and not in herring roe harvested from the fish. This bacteria causes a form of cholera, which is practically unknown in Canadian waters. You can see the possible contamination areas in the map below. Canada has had just two cases of cholera a year since 2014. At least four people are sick in this outbreak. This infection is very rare in industrialized nations, but occurs in Africa, Haiti, and Southeast Asia, according to the CDC. As of March 23, 2018, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans has issued an emergency closure on Herring Egg Harvest in … [Read more...]
