FDA Issues Warning Over Vibriosis

Researchers have determined consumption of oysters from the southern end of Hood Canal to be the cause of an outbreak of vibriosis. Six cases have been diagnosed so far in Washington State and California.

The Department of Health, Washington State, has issued a notice to harvesters and dealers, asking them to recall oysters they had obtained from the specific area mentioned. They have also issued a warning note to customers asking them to refrain from eating these oysters.

Records indicate the possibility of the infection spreading to a larger area, as these oysters have been distributed not just in Washington and California, but also in Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, New York, Oregon, British Columbia, Singapore, Hong Kong, and also Malaysia.

The vibrio parahaemolyticus infection generally affects people with lowered immunity levels. Common symptoms include diarrhea, nausea, dehydration, vomiting, fever, chills, and cramps in the abdominal region.

While the disease is never usually severe, people with weakened immune systems are easy prey. These include people diagnosed with diabetes, AIDS, liver disorders, blood disorders, gastrointestinal disorders, kidney problems, and also cancer. People with any of these diseases should not eat oysters basically, the warning said.

As a precaution, the State Department of Health, Washington, has shut down the area mentioned as the potential source of the oysters spreading the infection. At the same time, the FDA has also listed out some recommendations to be followed with regard to cooking or buying oysters:

• Do not buy oysters with open shells.
• Do not mix raw and cooked oysters. There are chances the raw oysters may contaminate the cooked food.
• Steam smaller numbers of oysters at a time.
• The recommended temperature for frying the oysters is 375? F. The duration for frying is three minutes.
• Oysters should be broiled at least three inches from the heat, again for a minimum of three minutes.
• The recommended temperature for baking oysters is 450? F. The recommended time period is a minimum of 10 minutes.
• Boil the oysters till they open, and continue boiling them for another few minutes (between three and five minutes is the stipulated timeframe).
• Oysters should open when you cook them. Do not serve any oysters that do not open on cooking.
• Three minutes should be the minimum time period that you should boil or simmer the shucked oysters.