Warning on Raw Oysters from Hood Canal

Warning on Raw Oysters from Hood Canal



Aug. 2007  - The U.S. Food and Drug 
Administration has expanded its warning not to eat raw oysters from the 
Hood Canal in Washington state due to a foodborne illness outbreak caused 
by a natural bacterium, Vibrio parahaemolyticus. 
On August 10, the agency warned about oysters harvested from growing area 
6 of Hood Canal and today added growing area 5 at the southern tip of the 
Hood Canal to its warning statement. 
Raw oysters harvested from growing area 5 in Hood Canal from July 31 
through Aug. 2007 have caused at least six people to become ill in 
Washington state. 
Records indicate that raw oysters from the area were distributed to 
California, Colorado, Idaho, New York, Oregon, Utah, Washington state, and 
British Columbia, Canada. 
Symptoms of vibriosis include diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, 
headache, fever and chills. These symptoms usually appear about 12 hours 
after eating infected shellfish. The illness is usually mild to moderate 
and lasts for two to seven days; it can be life threatening to people with 
lowered immunity or chronic liver disease. 
Severe disease is rare and occurs most commonly in people with weakened 
immune systems. Those who believe they have experienced these symptoms 
after consuming raw oysters should consult their health care provider and 
contact their local health department. 
Those with weakened immune systems, including people affected by HIV/AIDS, 
chronic alcohol abuse, liver, stomach, or blood disorders, cancer, 
diabetes, or kidney disease, should avoid eating raw oysters, regardless 
of where they are harvested, the federal agency warned. 
The Washington State Department of Health has closed the growing area 
associated with the illness and has asked commercial oyster harvesters and 
dealers who obtained oysters from this area to recall them. 
Consumers who have recently purchased oysters should check with the place 
of purchase and ask if they were harvested from the affected growing 
areas. The recall involves both shucked oysters and oysters in the shell. 
The FDA advises that consumers can continue to enjoy oysters in many 
cooked preparations. At restaurants order oysters fully cooked, the FDA 
says. 
Purchase oysters with the shells closed and throw away any oysters with 
shells already opened. 
Never allow raw seafood to come into contact with cooked food, the agency 
advises. 
Boil oysters until the shells open. Once shells open, boil for an 
additional three to five minutes. To steam, add oysters to water that is 
already steaming and cook live oysters until the shells open. Once open, 
steam for another four to nine minutes. 
The Washington state Department of Health says the best way to be sure 
shellfish are safe is to "Know Before You Dig." The Department of Health 
Shellfish Safety website www.doh.wa.gov/shellfishsafety.htm and the 
Shellfish Safety Hotline, 1-800-562-5632 have the facts.. 

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