HHS NEWS

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
 
 
 
STATEMENT                         Judith Foulke: 202-205-4144
August 23, 1997
 
     The Food and Drug Administration is advising consumers to
check the source of any fresh oysters they may have purchased
within the past week.  Due to warm weather in the Pacific
Northwest, oysters harvested from waters in Washington State
potentially could contain increased levels of Vibrio
parahaemolyticus, a naturally occurring marine bacterium which
could cause illness, especially to at-risk populations, including
the immune compromised.
     Washington State health authorities have advised consumers
to eat only fully cooked oysters until the increased levels of V.
parahaemolyticus are reduced when temperatures drop.  In
addition, on August 20, members of the Pacific Coast Oyster
Growers Association voluntarily halted shipments of live oysters
and have notified purchasers of products that were shipped prior
to the cessation that products should be fully cooked.
     FDA's advisory is to help ensure that holders of any oysters
remaining in commerce are aware of the situation.
     Oysters from Washington State should be thoroughly cooked.
Thorough cooking will destroy this bacterium.  FDA advises
boiling in water 3 to 5 minutes after shells open.  Use small
pots to boil or steam oysters.  Steam live oysters 4 to 9 minutes
in a steamer that's already steaming.
     Approximately 40 illnesses have been reported in California
and Washington state due to the consumption of raw oysters.  An
additional 100 cases have been reported in British Columbia
leading to a closure of harvesting areas in that region.
      V. parahaemolyticus is common during periods of warm
weather.  It is not a result of human sewage contamination of the
shellfish harvest area.
     Symptoms include diarrhea, abdominal cramps, nausea,
vomiting, headache, fever and chills.  Onset of illness is from 4
to 48 hours; average is 12 to 24 hours after consumption.  The
illness is usually mild or moderate and runs it course in 2 to 3
days, except in the case of the immune compromised where
hospitalization may be required if symptoms persist.
     Contact: FDA Press Office, Judith Foulke (202) 205-4144.
 
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