Seafood poisoning – United States

Florida sees another death linked to Vibrio vulnificus in Orange County.

Another Vibrio vulnificus death in Florida brings the state total to 19 cases and 7 deaths so far in 2021. The fatalities were reported in the countries of Manatee, Dubal, Escambia, Lee, Orange, and Polk.

Symptoms include fever, chills, decreased blood pressure (septic shock) and blistering skin lesions. Vibrio vulnificus infections in the bloodstream are fatal half the time. People with pre-existing medical conditions are 80 times more likely to contract this disease, particularly weakened immune systems and chronic liver disease.Seafood poisoning is the result of ingestion of Vibrio bacteria in raw or undercooked seafood, usually oysters. It is the is the predominant cause of the acute gastroenteritis caused by bacteria associated with consumption of seafood.

Symptoms are an explosive watery or bloody diarrhea accompanied by vomiting, cramps and sometimes fever. The symptoms usually resolve withing 72 hours.

Outbreaks tend to be concentrated along coastal regions during the summer and early fall when higher water temperatures favor higher levels of bacteria. Seafood most often implicated includes squid, mackerel, tuna, sardines, crab, conch, shrimp, and oysters and clams.

It is advised that elderly people, pregnant women and very young children should avoid eating raw or lightly cooked shellfish to reduce their risk of getting food poisoning.