Year: 2000
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: We examined clinical and epidemiological features of 575 laboratory-confirmed cases of vibrio gastroenteritis in Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, and Texas from 1988 to 1997 (the US Gulf of Mexico Regional Vibrio Surveillance System). Illnesses occurred year round, with peaks in spring and autumn. Illnesses lasted a median of 7 days and included fever in half of patients and bloody stools in 25% of patients with relevant information. Seventy-two percent of patients reported no underlying illnesses. In the week before onset, 236 (53%) of 445 patients for whom data were available ate raw oysters, generally at a restaurant or bar. Educational efforts should address the risk of vibrio gastroenteritis for raw oyster consumers, including healthy individuals. Further studies should examine environmental conditions affecting vibrio counts on seafood and processing technologies to enhance the safety of raw oysters.
Source: Epidemiology and Infection
Authors: S. F. ALTEKRUSE, R. D. BISHOP, L. M. BALDY, S. G. THOMPSON, S. A. WILSON, B. J. RAY, P. M. GRIFFIN
Institutions: Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, United States Food and Drug Administration, Florida Department of Health, Alabama Department of Public Health, Louisiana State Department of Health and Hospitals, Texas Department of State Health Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Language: English
Subfield: Endocrinology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W2158936527