Case study: Vibrio vulnificus
Many people immensely enjoy eating raw oysters. Raw oyster bars can be found at some of the trendiest restaurants. But eating raw oysters or uncooked seafood can actually put you at a risk of infections, such as vibriosis. The infection is caused by strains of Vibrio bacteria that naturally inhabit coastal waters, where these oysters are found. In a similar case, a 50-year-old man, Patrick Baker living in Anderson, Indiana started to experience flu-like symptoms after eating store-bought raw oysters. He also developed painful, purple blisters on his legs.
Doctors diagnosed diagnosed Baker with necrotising fasciitis, a bacterial infection that rapidly spreads, destroying skin and muscle tissue. In some cases it can also cause death. According to the Herald Bulletin, he needed emergency surgery in both his legs for treating the infection and to remove dead tissue. After the procedure, he spent 3 weeks on life support.
When someone eats raw or undercooked oysters, viruses and bacteria in the oysters can lead to illness
The oysters feed by filtering water which can cause the bacteria to concentrate in their tissues. When someone eats these oysters, the viruses and bacteria can concentrate in their tissues and cause infection. While most infections only cause diarrhoea and vomiting, those caused by Vibrio vulnificus can cause severe illness with symptoms including severe blistering skin lesions and bloodstream infections. Many people with this infection require intensive care and limb amputations. Studies have also shown that 15-30% of the cases are fatal.
Baker is currently receiving rehabilitation therapy at the hospital and the doctors are hopeful that he will not require limb amputation. The CDC recommends that people do not eat raw or undercooked shellfish to avoid infection.
Source: The Herald Bulletin
