HHS NEWS

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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