Now might be a good time to skip the platters of raw oysters: Washington health officials are warning of a spike in shellfish-related illnesses believed to be connected to last month’s heat wave.
The Washington Department of Health (DOH) has reported 52 cases of vibriosis so far in July, surpassing the highest number of cases ever recorded for the month. Of those cases, 26 were contracted from commercial oysters and four were harvested recreationally. Symptoms of vibriosis usually appear about 12-24 hours after consumption and include diarrhea, abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, headache, fever and chills.
The bacteria that causes the illness, vibrio, is found in small amounts in coastal waters,
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