Two people have been reported dead after eating raw oysters caught in Louisiana waters.
Rodney Jackson of Dallas, a 55-year-old Air Force veteran, purchased oysters from his Florida seafood market . The Pensacola News Journal reported in early August.
Local news outlets wrote that Jackson consumed some of the oysters he had purchased and shortly afterwards fell ill with mild symptoms. , his symptoms worsened when he experienced difficulty breathing and was taken to the intensive care unit of the Ascension Sacred Heart in Pensacola, where he was diagnosed with vibriosis - bacterial infection92} It is usually associated with exposure to raw or undercooked shellfish or seawater.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Vibrio is the bacterium that causes vibriosis. It causes an estimated 80,000 illnesses and 100 deaths in the United States each year.
Bacteria reportedly thrive in warm waters, including salt and brackish water, and can persist in shellfish long after the creature is removed from the aquatic environment.
Vibrio infection usually occurs after a person eats vibrio-coated crustaceans or exposes open wounds to contaminated seafood or seawater, the CDC said. "Food Safety: Oysters and Vibrio" web page.
It tastes different than oysters," the CDC wrote. "Properly cooking oysters and other crustaceans can kill vibrio."
Jackson, who was a business director, reportedly died on Tuesday, Aug. Experts determined that raw oysters were responsible for his deadly infection, according to the Pensacola News Journal.
The New York Post reported that Jackson's oyster-related death was the second in Florida, but the first man to die from a similar cause. has not been confirmed by authorities. public.
According to reports, both documented cases were linked to oysters sourced fromLouisiana.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says the belief that "just a few oysters won't hurt you" is a myth, points out in its online "Myths of Raw Oysters" guide.
“Roberta Hammond, Ph.D, the Food of Florida The Waterborne Infectious Diseases Coordinator cites a case of death from Vibrio vulnificus after eating just three oysters,” the FDA wrote. It depends on many factors, including the amount of bacteria released and the patient's underlying health."
The FDA and CDC have repeatedly stated that only heat can completely kill Vibrio. says. As such, both agencies recommend cooked crustaceans and avoiding raw offerings.
According to the FDA and CDC, alcohol, hot sauce, and lemon juice cannot remove harmful bacteria from shellfish and other seafood.
CDC Food Safety Tips To avoid cross-contamination, keep cooked seafood away from raw seafood, wash hands with soap and water after This includes disposing of shells that do not fully open afterwards.
The CDC recommends boiling oysters and other shellfish until the shells open and continuing to cook for an additional 3-5 minutes.
Alternatively, the agency says the following cooking methods have been proven safe: Cook whole oysters for 4-9 minutes. Steam, simmer shelled oysters for final 3 minutes, fry oysters with shells deep-fried at 375°F for at least a few minutes, roast oysters with shells 3 inches away from heat source for 3 minutes, remove shells Bake oysters at 450 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes.
"If there is a possibility of coming into contact with raw seafood or raw seafood juices, or if there is a possibility of coming into contact with brackish or salt water, avoid "If you come in contact with salt water, brackish water, raw seafood, or juices or drips from raw seafood, wash open wounds and cuts with soap and water." Rinse thoroughly."
