Warning stands on danger of raw oysters

[Guest guest]

Warning stands on danger of raw oysters

ASSOCIATED PRESS

TALLAHASSEE - State officials are renewing warnings about the risks of

eating raw oysters for people with problematic immune systems after at least

two recent deaths were caused by a bacterial infection from the shellfish.

At least 10 Floridians have died this year from infection by the bacterium

Vibrio vulnificus, which is often harbored in oysters. At least three of

them died from consuming raw oysters, health officials said.

People with compromised immune systems should avoid raw oysters, said state

Health Secretary Agwunobi.

" The old wives' tale that raw oysters are safe in months that have an R

simply isn't true, " Agwunobi said. " For those who are in high risk groups,

there is no safe time to consume raw oysters. "

Those most at risk for developing serious illness from Vibrio vulnificus

include heavy drinkers with liver damage and people with health conditions

such as liver disease, diabetes, cancer, stomach disorders or any illness or

treatment that weakens the immune system.

For people with normal immune systems the risk is much less, officials said.

The risk is greatly reduced by thoroughly cooking oysters.

The renewed warnings come after news reports of a couple recent cases.

Dennis Sharron, 39, of Wewahitchka, in the Panhandle, died Nov. 5. Another

man from Panama City recently had to have his leg amputated because of the

bacteria.

State Health Department spokeswoman Hodges said the agency couldn't

confirm details of any case because of confidentiality, but said there have

been three fatal cases in November, which is sometimes considered a safe

month because ocean water is generally colder.

The latest fatal case was added to the list Tuesday and was in Hillsborough

County, Hodges said. She couldn't release the victim's name or gender or say

when the person died.

Not all deaths involve exposure from eating raw oysters. The disease can

also be contracted if a person has an open wound and wades in sea water

where the bacteria is present.

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On the Net: Florida Department of Health: www.doh.state.fl.us

Centers for Disease Control:

www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/vibriovulnificus-g.htm

Interstate Shellfish Sanitation Conference www.issc.org/

http://www.bradenton.com/mld/bradenton/news/local/10200283.htm

[Guest guest]

Warning stands on danger of raw oysters

ASSOCIATED PRESS

TALLAHASSEE - State officials are renewing warnings about the risks of

eating raw oysters for people with problematic immune systems after at least

two recent deaths were caused by a bacterial infection from the shellfish.

At least 10 Floridians have died this year from infection by the bacterium

Vibrio vulnificus, which is often harbored in oysters. At least three of

them died from consuming raw oysters, health officials said.

People with compromised immune systems should avoid raw oysters, said state

Health Secretary Agwunobi.

" The old wives' tale that raw oysters are safe in months that have an R

simply isn't true, " Agwunobi said. " For those who are in high risk groups,

there is no safe time to consume raw oysters. "

Those most at risk for developing serious illness from Vibrio vulnificus

include heavy drinkers with liver damage and people with health conditions

such as liver disease, diabetes, cancer, stomach disorders or any illness or

treatment that weakens the immune system.

For people with normal immune systems the risk is much less, officials said.

The risk is greatly reduced by thoroughly cooking oysters.

The renewed warnings come after news reports of a couple recent cases.

Dennis Sharron, 39, of Wewahitchka, in the Panhandle, died Nov. 5. Another

man from Panama City recently had to have his leg amputated because of the

bacteria.

State Health Department spokeswoman Hodges said the agency couldn't

confirm details of any case because of confidentiality, but said there have

been three fatal cases in November, which is sometimes considered a safe

month because ocean water is generally colder.

The latest fatal case was added to the list Tuesday and was in Hillsborough

County, Hodges said. She couldn't release the victim's name or gender or say

when the person died.

Not all deaths involve exposure from eating raw oysters. The disease can

also be contracted if a person has an open wound and wades in sea water

where the bacteria is present.

---

On the Net: Florida Department of Health: www.doh.state.fl.us

Centers for Disease Control:

www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/vibriovulnificus-g.htm

Interstate Shellfish Sanitation Conference www.issc.org/

http://www.bradenton.com/mld/bradenton/news/local/10200283.htm

[Guest guest]

The sad part of all this is I really love raw oysters. But I also used to eat cow liver smothered in gravy n' onions. Yum Yum making my self hungry.

"There are two kinds of people in the world: givers and takers. The takers may eat better but the givers sleep better"Eddie Hinman

[Guest guest]

Me too..But the idea of eating liver now just repluses me..Kathy B.Tubs46@... wrote:

The sad part of all this is I really love raw oysters. But I also used to eat cow liver smothered in gravy n' onions. Yum Yum making my self hungry.

"There are two kinds of people in the world: givers and takers. The takers may eat better but the givers sleep better"Eddie HinmanKathy Brunow