Vibrio Summer

Here comes the sun do,do,do.. and also, Vibrio Summer? Vibrio and Summer seem to be in the news together more often than we would like.

Summer is here! There is something so invigorating about a change of season.

Warm weather is perfect for a nice swim, fishing, and changing our diets in line with foods that have just come into transition with summer.

Conversely, down in the coastal waters lives a bacterium called Vibrio. The presence of Vibrio is directly linked to temperature and estuarine waters, being most abundant in warm, brackish waters. According to the Florida Department of Health, “The optimal growing temperature is between 68-95°F (20-35°C), but it can grow at temperatures up to 105°F (41°C). Given their distribution, Vibrio parahaemolyticus (V. parahaemolyticus) infections occur in states nationwide including those surrounding the Gulf of Mexico”. Additionally, about 80% of Vibrio infections occur during the months of May and October.

What are the most common Vibrio species causing human illness this Vibrio Summer?

There’s actually about a dozen but the more prevalent species are Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Vibrio vulnificus, and Vibrio alginolyticus. People mostly contract vibriosis by eating raw or undercooked shellfish, especially the popular oysters.

One of the scary Vibrio species is Vibrio vulnificus, which can cause necrotizing fasciitis, also known as the “flesh-eating disease”. Necrotizing means causing the death of tissues. Fasciitis means inflammation of the fascia which is the tissue under the skin that surrounds muscles, nerves, fat, organs and blood vessels. The bacteria can enter the skin by cuts and scrapes, burns, insect bites, puncture wounds or surgical wounds. If you have a compromised immune system or condition including Liver disease, Diabetes, Cancer or any illness that weakens the body’s immune system, it is highly recommended to stay out of saltwater or brackish water with open wounds. The CDC claims that “Many people with Vibrio vulnificus infection require intensive care or limb amputations, and about 1 in 5 people with this infection die, sometimes within a day or two of becoming ill”.

Vibrio in the Raw

Did you know that Oysters have been around since the start of humanity? Yes! Fossil records show the oyster has been around for millions of years. Oysters were a delicacy for the wealthy class during the Greek and Roman empires. We have come a long way since the Triassic period and so have Oysters.

So, how do you spot a bad Oyster? well you can’t. You are not able to tell if an oyster is contaminated by just looking at it or smelling it because the bacteria is present in the water where live oysters feed. Raw or undercooked oysters or other shellfish Oysters are more prone to the bacteria. Some people with pre-existing conditions are at high risk of becoming seriously ill and dying from eating raw oysters.

Below are the most common foods linked to Vibrio according to the CDC:

 

• Oysters: Oysters feed by filtering water. As oysters feed, Vibrio, norovirus, and other germs can concentrate in them. When you eat raw or undercooked oysters, germs that may be in them can make you sick.

 

• Other shellfish: Oysters aren’t the only shellfish that can carry Vibrio and other germs. Vibrio illnesses have also been linked to crawfish, crab meat, and other shellfish including clams, mussels, and scallops.
• Fish: Although Vibrio infections from fish aren’t as common as infections from shellfish, they do happen from time to time. Other harmful germs can be found in fish, too. To help prevent infection, cook fish to 145°F or until its flesh is opaque.

It is important to not eat raw or undercook oysters or other shellfish, in order to avoid vibriosis. Within 24 to 48 hours of ingesting contaminated raw oysters, the symptoms may include chills, fever, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, shock and skin lesions.

Recommendations and Prevention

In order to stay safe and reduce the risk of vibriosis the CDC recommends the following:

• Don’t eat raw or undercooked oysters or other shellfish. Cook them before eating.
• Always wash your hands with soap and water after handing raw shellfish.
• Avoid contaminating cooked shellfish with raw shellfish and its juices.
• Stay out of salt water or brackish water if you have a wound (including from a recent surgery, piercing, or tattoo), or cover your wound with a waterproof bandage if there’s a possibility it could come into contact with salt water or brackish water, raw seafood, or raw seafood juices. Brackish water is a mixture of fresh and salt water. It is often found where rivers meet the sea.
• Wash wounds and cuts thoroughly with soap and water if they have been exposed to seawater or raw seafood or its juices.
• If you develop a skin infection, tell your medical provider if your skin has come into contact with salt water or brackish water, raw seafood, or raw seafood juices.

If you are out at a restaurant, order oysters that are thoroughly cooked. Fully cooking the shellfish or oyster can be very effective in killing the Vibrio bacteria. If you are cooking shellfish in the shell, boil them until the shells open and continue to boil another 3-5 minutes or add to steamer and cook for another 4-9 minutes. If you are cooking Shucked Oysters , which is an opened oyster, boil or simmer shucked oysters for at least 3 minutes or until the edges curl. Fry at 375 degrees for at least 3 minutes. Broil 3 inches from heat for 3 minutes. Bake at 450 degrees for 10 minutes.

See a doctor right away if you have symptoms of the flesh-eating bacteria. Symptoms can include Ulcers, blisters, or black spots on the skin, changes in the color of the skin, pus or oozing from the infected area, dizziness, fatigue and Diarrhea or nausea. Acting fast is the key. Vibrio Summer doesn’t have to be your summer.