A sharp spike in foodborne illnesses from consuming raw oysters has sparked a warning from Vancouver Coastal Health.
The health authority is telling Richmond’s local seafood restaurants to make sure any B.C.-caught oysters are not served raw.
The warning is in response to an ongoing outbreak of Vibrio parahaemolyticus infection related to consumption of raw oysters harvested in B.C.
“Vibrio parahaemolyticus thrive in warmer waters, and reports of illness generally increase in the summer months. This year, however, reports are high enough to warrant additional prevention measures,” stated VCH in a news release.
The health authority (Vancouver, Richmond, north Shore and Sunshine Coast) stated 31 cases have been reported to date, whereas last year, by the end of August, just 16 cases were reported. According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, 48 cases have been reported province-wide.
The agency noted the overall risk to Canadians is “low,” and illnesses can be avoided if shellfish are cooked before being eaten. Notably, the VCH warning does not apply to oysters harvested outside the province.
Symptoms of Vibrio parahaemolyticus include watery diarrhea, cramps, vomiting and fever, all of which can last up to a week.
