The U.S. Food and Drug Administration
is warning consumers not to eat raw oysters harvested from an area
of the southern tip of Hood Canal in Washington after an outbreak of
illness caused by Vibrio parahaemolyticus bacteria.
Symptoms of the illness, called vibriosis, include watery
diarrhea, often with abdominal cramping, nausea, vomiting, fever,
and chills. Usually these symptoms occur within 24 hours of
ingestion and last no more than three days. Severe disease is rare
and occurs most commonly in people with weakened immune systems.
Those who believe they have experienced these symptoms after
consuming raw oysters should consult their health care provider and
contact their local health department.
Raw oysters 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. Additional reports of illness are
being investigated by the states. To date, records indicate that raw
oysters from the area were distributed to California, Florida,
Hawaii, Idaho, New York, Oregon, Washington, British Columbia
(Canada), Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Singapore.
The Washington State Department of Health has closed the growing
area associated with the illness and has asked commercial oyster
harvesters and dealers who obtained oysters from this area to recall
them. Consumers who have recently purchased oysters should check
with the place of purchase and ask if they were harvested from the
affected growing area.
Those with weakened immune systems, including people affected by
AIDS, chronic alcohol abuse, liver, stomach, or blood disorders,
cancer, diabetes, or kidney disease should avoid eating raw oysters,
regardless of where they are harvested.
