One Panhandle man dead, another critical after eating raw oysters

[whatelseisnew]

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/F/FL_OYSTER_BACTERIA_DEATH_FLOL-?SITE=FLPET&SECTION=STATE&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

PANAMA CITY, Fla. (AP) -- Two Florida Panhandle men were infected with a deadly bacteria after eating raw oysters in the last two weeks, killing one and leaving the other in critical condition.

Dennis Sharron, 39, of Wewahitchka, died Nov. 5, six days after he ate raw oysters with friends, his family said. Doctors had amputated both of his legs in an attempt to save his life.

Sharron was diagnosed with an infection stemming from vibrio vulnificus - a saltwater-dwelling bacterium that causes infection in the blood or skin when ingested.

The same day Sharron died, 45-year-old James Palmer ate raw oysters, his family said. He was hospitalized Nov. 10 and diagnosed with the same infection.

"Both of his feet were red and swelled up, and he had black splotches above that," Helen Sharron said. "I ... watched the splotches come up his legs, and his legs were so swelled up so bad they looked like they were going to bust."

[mtnester]

1. Dammit, I love raw oysters

nothing better, just a little Tabasco...MAYBE a cracker

[SoCalDem]

2. Welcome to the world of "junk science"

where real science counts for nothing, and corporate science toadies tell you everything's just peachy..

Pass the cocktail sauce:eyes:

[alarimer]

9. This is a naturally occurring bacterium

It usually is more common in the warmer months. The presence of this organism has nothing to do with pollution. It is always there. We have had problems here with people becoming infected through open wounds on their skin. One guy even lost his legs.

[teach1st]

3. Be careful out there

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/vibriovulnificus_g.htm

Persons who are immunocompromised, especially those with chronic liver disease, are at risk for V. vulnificus when they eat raw seafood, particularly oysters. A recent study showed that people with these pre-existing medical conditions were 80 times more likely to develop V. vulnificus bloodstream infections than were healthy people. 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 V. vulnificus through direct contact with seawater. There is no evidence for person-to-person transmission of V. vulnificus.

.....

Some tips for preventing V. vulnificus infections, particularly among immunocompromised patients, including those with underlying liver disease:

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.

[karlrschneider]

8. Fry oysters for TEN minutes??? That's insane

:eyes:

[benito]

4. I hate to hear of anyone dying from eating something

but dem dare shells are hard to pass! Ya needs to break em open bee.

[pnorman]

5. First time I ever heard of that so I Googled it.

http://vm.cfsan.fda.gov/~mow/chap10.html

I was just fixing to prepare breakfast, but I'm off my feed for a few more hours. I think I'll settle for coffee & Danish instead. (Yuck!)

pnorman

[seabeyond]

6. husband stopped eating raw oysters 5 years ago

and he loved em so. if he stopped was clear message to me to be weary. same with our other little fishies

[pansypoo53219]

7. seafood dislike/allergy?

has it's advantages. no like anything raw.

[leesa]

10. This is the RW solution for those who believe in doing away with social

safety nets. They are going to hunt and fish to provide for their families. Of course, being stupid, they have forgotten that the GOP has deregulated corporations so that you can no longer eat anything you catch.