Oyster Safety

Precautions when eating oysters and other raw seafoods

To avoid sever food borne illness

What is Vibrio Vulnificus?

This bacteria is found in warm coastal waters like the Gulf of Mexico but also in Atlantic and Pacific Coasts.

It occurs naturally not as pollution.

Vibrio Vulnificus can appear in “clean” waters especially those areas approved for harvesting oysters and clams.

Human infections occur more between April to October, during warmer months.

Some people eating raw molluscan shellfish or who have open wounds exposed to seawater can develop severe infections.

Most people are unaffected but some “at risk” people who have decreased immunity are more likely to get sick.

Examples of “high risk” people:

•  Liver disease

•  Chronic alcoholism

•  Cancer, including radiation or chemotherapy

•  Lymphoma,

•  AIDs

•  Diabetes

•  Chronic kidney disease

•  Inflammatory Bowel disease

•  Long term cortisteriod use.

•  Decreased stomach acidity.

People at “high risk” must be careful and avoid seawater contact in vibrio areas avoid raw seafood.

High Risk Individuals

•  Should avoid exposure of recent or healing wounds, cuts, punctures, burns to warm seawater. When swimming, wading or diving cover wound with a waterproof bandage.

•  High risk people should avoid eating raw shellfish, particularly oysters. Oysters filter food and actually concentrate vibrio.

Raw oysters are always ‘riskier' no matter where they were harvested.

•  When early shellfish make sure they are thoroughly cooked. Steaming on blanching to open shells does not kill vibrio bacteria.

•  Avoid cross-contamination of cooked and raw shellfish. Not cleaning a container is a common cause of infections.

What Are the Odds of Infection?

This is very rare but also very severe vibrio vulniticus infections can be devastating to those affected.

Oysters Safety

At Restaurants-

Order oysters fully cooked. Eating raw oysters with hot sauce, alcohol, or lemon does not make them any safer.

Cooking at Home

In the Shell

Boil live oysters 3-5 min., after shells open. Use small pots to boil or steam oysters. Don't put too many oysters together or the middle ones might not cook evenly.

•  Discard oysters that don't open.

•  Steam live oysters 4-9 min. in a steamer that is already steaming.

Shacked

•  Boil or simmer at least 3 min.

•  Fry in oil for at least 3 min.

•  Broil 3 inches from heat for 3 min.

•  Bake for 10 min. at 450 o F.

Skylark Medical Clinic

264 Tache ave. Winnipeg MB R2H 1Z9

204.453.9107