FDA Logo U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationCenter for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
horizontal rule

Vibrio vulnificus Health Education Kit
March 2004

Pitch Letter

This document also available in Spanish

[ YOUR LETTERHEAD ]

[ Month, date, year ]

[ NAME OF YOUR AGENCY ] LAUNCHES EDUCATIONAL CAMPAIGN
WARNING THE HISPANIC COMMUNITY ABOUT RISKS OF EATING RAW OYSTERS

Have you ever eaten a raw oyster? If you or someone you know has, please read the enclosed information - it could save someone's life.

The [ Name of Your Agency ] is issuing a warning to the Hispanic community [ in name of city ], about the risks in eating raw oysters contaminated with a bacteria that lives in the waters of the Gulf coast. In the last two years, nine Hispanic men died in the U.S. from eating raw oysters contaminated with the bacteria, Vibrio vulnificus.

It is imperative we get the message out to the community about this issue as soon as possible because as the weather gets warmer the amount of bacteria in the water increases. Also, as you know, raw oysters are a favorite food among Hispanics, especially Hispanic males.

A(n) [ name of agency ] representative will be available for interviews next week on [ insert date(s) ] to speak to you. Please consider scheduling an interview to discuss this important topic.

Enclosed is the following information:

  • Press Release
  • Vibrio vulnificus Fact Sheet
  • Myths about raw oysters
  • Cooked oyster recipes
  • Feature article
For more information, please contact:

[ Contact name ]
[ Organization ]
[ Phone ]
[ Email ]

horizontal rule
horizontal rule