man dies after contracting flesh-eating bacteria from raw oysters
one oyster typically filters 50 gallons of water daily, trapping 'harmful bacteria, viruses, or parasites, which can naturally occur in the water'
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a missouri man died after contracting a flesh-eating bacteria from eating raw oysters from a seafood stand, u.s. health officials said.
the 54-year-old man, whom authorities have not publicly identified, became infected after he ate oysters bought from the fruit stand & seafood in manchester, mo., the st. louis county public health department said last week.
he died after being infected with the bacteria vibrio vulnificus, which is contracted by consuming raw or undercooked oysters and other shellfish.
investigators said the man ate the oysters sometime in the week prior to his death on june 8.
“there is no evidence that the business did anything to contaminate the oysters, which likely were already contaminated when the establishment received them,” dph investigators said in a news release. “all remaining oysters in the establishment were embargoed by dph.”
infections from vibrio vulnificus cause abdominal cramping, nausea, vomiting, fever, chills and blisters. death is a rare outcome, however, those with weakened immune systems may be more susceptible.
people infected with vibrio vulnificus typically begin experiencing symptoms 12 to 72 hours after consuming raw or undercooked seafood, although it might take up to a week before symptoms appear, food safety news reported.
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though oysters are generally harvested in tempered waters, the presence of bacteria increases in coastal waters from may through october. that is due to the sea temperatures warming up during those months, creating favourable conditions for bacteria such as vibrio to multiply.
in 2018, canada had its own oyster scare after a potential salmonella outbreak. future seafoods of fernwood, p.e.i., had to recall its malpeque brand oysters due to an increased risk of contamination. the recall was a result of canadian food inspection agency test results, the cbc reported.
one oyster, on average, filters 50 gallons of water daily. in doing so, the mollusks “trap harmful bacteria, viruses, or parasites, which can naturally occur in the water,” dave love, phd, a senior scientist at the johns hopkins center for a livable future told self magazine.
the centers for disease control and prevention provided tips for reducing the risk of contracting vibriosis.
- always cook oysters or other shellfish before eating: don’t eat them raw or undercooked.
- always wash your hands with soap and water after handling raw shellfish.
- avoid cross-contaminating cooked shellfish with raw shellfish and its juices.
- stay out of salt water or brackish water if you have a wound (including from a recent surgery, piercing or tattoo) if there’s a possibility it could come into contact with salt water or brackish water, raw seafood or raw seafood juices, or cover the wound with a waterproof bandage.
- wash cuts thoroughly with soap and water if they have been exposed to seawater or raw seafood or its juices.
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