Nine Floridians Killed, 18 Sickened by Vibrio This Year; Some Cases Linked
to Oysters
By James Andrews | October 7, 2013
At least 27 Floridians have been sickened this year – and nine have died–
from infections of Vibrio vulnificus, a deadly bacterium that lives in warm
seawater and is commonly associated with eating raw oysters and other shellfish.
The figure came from a news release published last week by the Florida
Department of Health.
Of the nine who died, three are known to have contracted Vibrio infections
from eating oysters. Another four cases were likely caused by exposure to
seawater, possibly with open wounds becoming infected by Vibrio bacteria. The
exposure history of the remaining two deaths was unknown.
Of the 18 victims who survived, two reported eating raw oysters, while two
had unknown exposures. The remaining 14 had some type of wound with exposure to
seawater, according to a spokeswoman for the health department.
Beyond avoiding eating raw shellfish, the health department cautioned that
this was also an important reminder to avoid swimming in warm or brackish
seawater with an open wound.
The health department supplied this tally of the number of Vibrio cases
and deaths reported in Florida each year since 2008:
2008: 15 cases, 5 deaths 2009: 24 cases, 7 deaths 2010: 32 cases, 10 deaths
2011: 35 cases, 13 deaths 2012: 27 cases, 9 deaths 2013: 27 cases, 9 deaths (as
of Oct. 1)
When ingested, Vibrio can cause severe diarrhea, vomiting and abdominal
pain. Wounds infected with Vibrio may lead to skin breakdown and ulcers.
If Vibrio enters the bloodstream, it can caused fevers, chills, decreased
blood pressure and blistering skin lesions. Bloodstream Vibrio infections have a
50-percent mortality rate.
Individuals with weakened immune systems, such as the elderly or children,
are much more susceptible to severe Vibrio infections and are advised to avoid
eating raw shellfish.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2012
Vibrio cases in the U.S. increased by 43 percent compared to a study period
covering 2006-2008.
Vibrio is also the most underreported foodborne pathogen, according to CDC.
For every case of Vibrio infection that gets diagnosed, the agency estimates
another 142 cases go undiagnosed.
For more information on Vibrio, Food Safety News published a report on
Sept. 23 entitled, “Emerging Pathogens: Vibrio Cases in Oysters Expected to
Continue Increasing.”
© Food Safety News
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Information on Vibrio Vulnificus By editor01 on October 1, 2013
VIDEO: Dr. Carina Blackmore speaks on Vibrio Vulnificus Vibrio Vulnificus
Update 10.03.13
County Total Cases Deaths
BREVARD 2 0
BROWARD 4 2
DUVAL 1 0
FLAGLER 1 1
GLADES 1 1
HERNANDO 1 0
HILLSBOROUGH 3 0
LEE 1 1
LEON 1 1
MANATEE 2 0
MARION 1 0
MONROE 1 1
NASSAU 1 0
OKALOOSA 1 1
PINELLAS 1 0
ST. JOHNS 1 0
SUWANNEE 1 0
VOLUSIA 2 0
WALTON 1 1
Total: 27 9
Frequently Asked Questions: Vibrio vulnificus
DOWNLOAD PDF: Frequently Asked Questions: Vibrio vulnificus
What is Vibrio vulnificus?
Vibrio vulnificus is a bacterium that normally lives in warm seawater and
is part of a group of vibrios that are called “halophilic” because they require
salt.How do persons get infected with Vibrio vulnificus?
People can get infected with Vibrio vulnificus when they eat raw shellfish,
particularly oysters. The bacterium is frequently isolated from oysters and
other shellfish in warm coastal waters during the summer months. Since it is
naturally found in warm marine waters, people with open wounds can be exposed to
Vibrio vulnificus through direct contact with seawater. There is no evidence of
person-to-person transmission of Vibrio vulnificus.
How can Vibrio vulnificus infection be diagnosed?
Vibrio vulnificus infection is diagnosed by stool, wound, or blood
cultures. Notifying the laboratory when this infection is suspected helps
because a special growth medium should be used to increase the diagnostic yield.
Doctors should have a high suspicion for this organism when patients present
with stomach illness, fever or shock following the ingestion of raw seafood,
especially oysters, or with a wound infection after exposure to seawater.
What type of illness does Vibrio vulnificus cause?
Vibrio vulnificus can cause disease in those who eat contaminated seafood
or have an open wound that is exposed to warm seawater containing the bacteria.
Ingestion of Vibrio vulnificus can cause vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal
pain.
Vibrio vulnificus can also cause an infection of the skin when open wounds
are exposed to warm seawater;
these infections may lead to skin breakdown and ulcers.
Healthy individuals typically develop a mild disease;
however Vibrio vulnificus infections can be a serious concern for people
who have weakened immune systems, particularly those with chronic liver disease.
The bacterium can invade the bloodstream, causing a severe and life-threatening
illness with symptoms like fever, chills, decreased blood pressure (septic
shock) and blistering skin lesions.
Vibrio vulnificus bloodstream infections are fatal about 50 percent of the
time.
A recent study showed that people with these pre-existing medical
conditions were 80 times more likely to develop Vibrio vulnificus bloodstream
infections than healthy people. Wound infections may also be serious in people
with weakened immune systems. The wound may heal poorly and require surgery.
Sometimes amputation may even be needed for recovery.
How common is Vibrio vulnificus infection?
Vibrio vulnificus is a rare cause of disease, but it is also underreported.
Between 1988 and 2006, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
received reports of more than 900 Vibrio vulnificus infections from the Gulf
Coast states, where most cases occur. Before 2007, there was no national
surveillance system for Vibrio vulnificus, but CDC collaborated with Alabama,
Florida, Louisiana, Texas and Mississippi to monitor the number of cases in the
Gulf Coast region. In 2007, infections caused by Vibrio vulnificus and other
vibrio species became nationally notifiable.
What are some tips for preventing Vibrio vulnificus infections?
Do not eat raw oysters or other raw shellfish. Cook shellfish (oysters,
clams, mussels) thoroughly. For shellfish in the shell, either
a) boil until the shells open and continue boiling for 5 more minutes, or
b) steam until the shells open and then continue cooking for 9 more
minutes.
Do not eat those shellfish that do not open during cooking.
Boil shucked oysters at least 3 minutes, or fry them in oil at least 10
minutes at 375°F.
Avoid cross-contamination of cooked seafood and other foods with raw
seafood and juices from raw seafood.
Eat shellfish promptly after cooking and refrigerate leftovers.
Avoid exposure of open wounds or broken skin to warm salt or brackish
water, or to raw shellfish harvested from such waters.
Wear protective clothing (e.g., gloves) when handling raw shellfish.
How is Vibrio vulnificus infection treated?
If Vibrio vulnificus is suspected, treatment should be initiated
immediately because antibiotics improve survival. Aggressive attention should be
given to the wound site; for patients with wound infections, amputation of the
infected limb is sometimes necessary.
For more information on care and treatment specifics, please visit the
CDC’s website.Information about the potential dangers of raw oyster consumption
is available 24 hours a day from the FDA’s Seafood Hotline – 1-800-332-4010For
more information on Vibrio vulnificus, visit the CDC’s website.
Below is a breakdown of cases in Florida since 2008:
2008 = 15 cases, 5 deaths
2009 = 24 cases, 7 deaths
2010 = 32 cases, 10 deaths
2011 = 35 cases, 13 deaths
2012 = 27 cases, 9 deaths
2013 = so far 27 cases, 9 deaths and of those deaths:
2 – unable to determine exposure history
3 – consumed raw oysters
4 – likely exposure to seawater
2013 deaths occurred in the following counties:
Broward (2 qty.)
Flagler
Glades
Lee
Leon
Monroe
Okaloosa
Walton
editor01
Friday, June 7, 2013
Big Increase VIBRIO PARAHAEMOLYTICUS Along Texas Coast
"It is along the whole coast of Texas,"
TSS
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