Oysters Cause Cholera Outbreak
By: Christine Arteta
Published: May 12, 2011

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (USDA) issued a national warning to avoid selling, shipping, serving or eating oysters from Apalachicola Bay in Florida. The commercial oyster harvesters and dealers were asked to recall the distributed oysters in the market between March 21 and April 30.  The raw oysters were distributed in Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina and other states.  An unusual mild strain of cholera was found in raw oysters that caused sickness in more than eleven people during March and April. Though reports say that the FDA allows the harvesting of oysters in Apalachicola Bay, Florida, it is best to be vigilant in the food that we eat. The symptoms of cholera are nausea, diarrhea and vomiting.  These may be felt anywhere from a few hours to five days after consumption of any uncooked or raw shellfish and other seafood.  Thorough cooking helps to kill the pathogen.
Photo by: Gautsch.net