FDA Warning: Do Not Eat Raw Oysters from Southern Washington

In a recently published press release the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is warning not to ingest raw oysters harvested from an area of the southern tip of Hood Canal in Washington.

An outbreak related to the ingestion of oysters specifically harvested from "growing area 6" in Hood Canal from July 3, 2007 and after, have caused at least six people to become ill in California and Washington.

The outbreak of illness is caused by the Vibrio parahaemolyticus bacteria. Generally, symptoms occur within 24 hours of ingestion and last no more than three days. A person who becomes intoxicated with V. Parahaemolyticus (vibriosis) usually experience watery diarrhea, abdominal cramping, nausea, vomiting, fever, and chills. If you have ingested raw oysters or any kind of processed or cooked oysters and experience any of the vibriosis symptoms you are advise to contact your medical healthcare provider and health department official.

Vibrio is a genus of bacteria possessing a curved rod shape and is typically found in saltwater. Pathogenic Vibrio include V. cholerae, which causes cholera, V. parahaemolyticus, and V. vulnificus. All these three strains of Vibrio can cause food poisoning associated undercooked seafood.

Generally, Vibriosis is not a severe illness and will go away with proper treatment. However, in children and immunodepressed patient can get out of hand and cause severe damages to a patient's body. People affected by AIDS, chronic alcohol abuse, liver, stomach, or blood disorders, cancer, diabetes, or kidney disease should contact their doctor immediately if they have ingested raw oysters.

If you are of one of this risk groups please contact you doctor immediately.

According to the FDA press release, six people have become ill in CA and Washington with additional reports of outbreak in other states, which are being investigated. Raw oysters under this warning have been distributed and sold in the US (California, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, New York, Oregon, Washington) and abroad (British Columbia (Canada), Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Singapore).

There is no reason to stop eating oysters at this time. FDA recommends to follow simple steps to avoid becoming ill with vibriosis:

*Eat only fully cooked oysters
*Purchase oysters with the shells closed.
*Throw away any oysters with shells already opened.
*Never allow raw seafood to come into contact with cooked food.
*Boil oysters until the shells open. Once shells open, boil for an additional three to five minutes.

At Restaurants and other Foodservice Establishments Order oysters fully cooked.

For more information Shellfish growing areas affected by this vibriosis outbreak warning, the FDA is giving a link to follow

Source:
Consumers Warned to Avoid Eating Raw Oysters from Southern Tip of Hood Canal in Washington State. FDA press release. URL: http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2007/NEW01680.html
Additional info:
www.doh.wa.gov/Publicat/2007_news/07-131.htm
888-INFO-FDA