The Department of Health (DOH) said on Tuesday that six deaths have occurred this year as a result of a deadly bacteria, at least two of them from raw oyster consumption. Known as Vibrio vulnificus, the bacteria infects the body in two ways, either by exposure to contaminated seafood or through an open wound exposed to contaminated seawater. DOH said that the other four deaths remain under investigation as to the source of the exposure. DOH is warning Floridians to avoid eating raw oysters and exposing open wounds to seawater and estuarine water.
Vibrio vulnificus occurs naturally in the warm waters of the Gulf coast, particularly during the summer months. According to DOH, Vibrio vulnificus wound infections typically cause swelling, pain, and redness at the wound site. Both gastrointestinal and wound infections may cause nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, fever, chills, and the formation of blistering skin lesions. Individuals experiencing these symptoms should contact a physician immediately for diagnosis and treatment.
Those most at risk for developing serious illness from Vibrio vulnificus are heavy drinkers with liver damage or individuals with liver disease, including Hepatitis C and cirrhosis, DOH said. Other at-risk health conditions include hemochromatosis (iron overload), diabetes, cancer, stomach disorders or any illness or treatment that weakens the immune system. At-risk individuals are more likely than healthy people to become extremely ill from eating raw oysters containing these bacteria. People in these high-risk groups are also at risk of serious illness if they have wounds, cuts or scratches and wade in estuarine areas or seawater where the bacteria might be present.
DOH is warning Floridians to thoroughly cook oysters, either by frying, stewing, or roasting eliminates harmful bacteria and viruses in the meat. Consuming raw oysters that have undergone a post-harvest treatment process to eliminate the bacteria can also reduce the risk of illness. Avoiding exposure of open wounds to seawater and estuarine water reduces the risk of wound infections.
